In March 2025, 12,261 patients were registered on the Surgical Enrolment List (LIC) at public hospitals in the Azores. This figure represents a 0.4% decrease (47 fewer patients) compared to the previous month, but a 14.7% increase (1,572 more patients) compared to March 2024.

According to the monthly report from the Integrated System for Managing Surgical Enrollments in the Azores (SIGICA), 724 surgeries were performed in the region in March. This figure represents a 1% increase (7 more surgeries) compared to February, but a 15.4% decrease (132 fewer operations) compared to the same month last year.

The average waiting time for surgery remained at 455 days in March, unchanged from February. The median waiting time increased slightly, from 368 to 374 days (a six-day increase).

By hospital, the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada had 7,888 patients on its waiting list, a 0.8% decrease compared to February. Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island had 3,041 patients (down 1.2%), and Horta Hospital had 1,332 patients (up 4.4%). In terms of the number of surgeries performed, Terceira Island Hospital was the only one to report a reduction, with 20 fewer operations (a 7% drop). Conversely, the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital performed 101 more surgeries than in February, a 35.7% increase, while the Horta Hospital saw a sharp drop of 49.7%, with 74 fewer surgeries performed. The bulletin also highlights the ongoing impact of the May 2024 fire on Ponta Delgada Hospital’s facilities, which continues to affect healthcare activities in the region.

In Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.