Access to healthcare in Flores is an issue of concern to the president of that island's CHEGA Azores list, in the upcoming regional legislative elections on February 4, who advocates improvements in the services provided, but also quick access to specialized consultations.
Jose Paulo Sousa acknowledges the difficulty of leaving the island to obtain specialized consultations in one of the three hospitals in the region, whether in the winter – due to bad weather conditions – or in the summer – due to the scarcity of seats on flights due to tourism. “One of my concerns is to guarantee summer seats on SATA flights, which is why there should be more flights to Flores. It is also necessary that the runway lighting be certified, so that emergency medical evacuations can be carried out,” defended José Paulo Sousa. This is a problem that “cannot be postponed from one legislative council to another, and is only talked about every four years.” “It must be done.”
The head of the CHEGA list on Flores says the waiting time for specialist appointments on other islands should be shorter, as there are health problems that cannot be tolerated by waiting three or four months. “We cannot allow this to continue. We have to overcome these gaps and improve health care in Flores,” he said.
At an election campaign near the health center in Santa Cruz das Flores, accompanied by the leader of CHEGA Açores and the head of the São Miguel List, José Pacheco, by regional party leaders and members of the Flores List, José Paulo Sousa assumed that he would fight to equip the local health center with more services. . “I am fighting for Florentines to get what they need in the health center and of the highest possible quality,” he said, giving an example of the urgent need for access to physical therapy, as these treatments are provided and paid for “in places that are not always the most appropriate.”
For José Pacheco, leader of CHEGA Açores and head of the list of São Miguel Department, CHEGA has provided solutions to improve access to health for Azoreans, such as health screening that allows private care when the regional health service cannot respond in a timely manner. road. However, on Flores there is no possibility of resorting to the private sector, which makes it necessary to improve the health services available on the island itself. Telemedicine is a working tool that can help the islands that are more isolated from the three referral hospitals in the region, such as Flores and Corfu, but access to health services on these islands needs to be improved. “It is always a concern for CHEGA and I hope that our future deputy for the island of Flores will always go to the Regional Assembly in defense of the health of the people of Florence.”
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
