Bolieiro to Visit Terceira and Faial to Outline Health Care Vision

The President of the Azores Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, is expected to meet soon with the Island Councils of Terceira and Faial to present his vision for the future of the archipelago’s hospital system.

Earlier this week, Bolieiro met with the Island Council of São Miguel to address the issue. According to information obtained by DI, similar meetings will follow with the advisory bodies of the other two islands that host hospitals.

Future of Hospital Divino Espírito Santo

At the center of discussions is the future of the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo (HDES), which was severely damaged by a fire in May 2024.

Speaking Monday, Bolieiro emphasized that the Regional Government’s goal is to “ensure that São Miguel has access to a modern, functional hospital response prepared for the future, while learning from recent experience.”

In a statement released to the press, the Azorean leader said the government is working on a solution that would “make use of the existing capacity,” including the modular hospital structure installed after the fire. That structure, he said, would be incorporated into a more robust hospital system tailored to the island’s needs.

According to Bolieiro, the preferred approach calls for concentrated intervention within the current hospital footprint, along with a deep reorganization of departments and services.

Ongoing technical studies point to a significant expansion of outpatient services in the future hospital, aligning with more contemporary health care models. Functional plans under review also envision expanded surgical areas, inpatient wards, emergency services and intensive care units, aimed at improving operational conditions and clinical response.

The modular structure, officials say, will continue to play a key role during renovation phases, supporting medical operations and ensuring uninterrupted care.

“It is essential to maintain stability in the services provided to the population while building a lasting solution,” Bolieiro stressed.

The Regional Government said it will continue to monitor the process of defining HDES’s future. The final proposal will be reviewed by the Council of Government, though no fixed timetable has yet been announced for presenting the completed project.

Jorge Rita, president of São Miguel’s Island Council, urged caution. He said the process should be handled prudently and advocated for a phased, financially sustainable approach. Rita also emphasized the need to strengthen the island’s primary health care network in parallel with hospital reforms.

Left Bloc Seeks Clarification

Following the president’s remarks, the Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc) submitted a formal request in the Azorean Parliament seeking clarification about the future of HDES.

The party welcomed assurances that hemodialysis services will remain at the hospital — contrary to earlier functional plans — calling it an important step. However, it warned that the government must guarantee the service will not be outsourced to private operators.

“The privatization of this service would be a historic mistake, harming the region and its patients,” the party said in a statement. “Granting it to a private company would create a new monopoly — this time in health care — adding to others that already exist, such as in fuel supply to EDA.”

The Left Bloc is also demanding clarification on how the modular hospital will be integrated into the broader restructuring and resizing of HDES.

The party criticized the government’s decision to build the modular facility after the fire, arguing the move lacked transparency. It cited the absence of a comparative evaluation with an urgent rehabilitation of the main hospital building — an option hospital technicians reportedly believed was feasible — and noted that the public was initially told the modular structure would be temporary.

The party further faulted the government for failing to provide a clear timeline for the start or completion of construction work.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director.

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