# Azores regional healthcare management and oversight

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/azores-regional-healthcare-management-and-oversight
> Updated: 2026-10-19T20:56:20.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Regional health leadership in the Azores has focused on addressing healthcare shortages and managing administrative transparency. Mónica Seidi, the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, reported improvements in the ratio of psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants and highlighted a high density of psychologists in primary care. Additionally, the Regional School Health Program has expanded to reach approximately 31,000 students, supported by efforts to increase pediatrician numbers and deploy specialists to islands without hospitals.

Following these developments, the regional government faced scrutiny from the PS/Açores party regarding the transparency of healthcare spending. Specifically, deputies requested data on the costs associated with transporting healthcare professionals between islands and payments to external service providers. Seidi denied accusations of withholding information, stating that the government is currently aggregating data from various institutions, with only information from the Hospital da Horta still pending. She also noted that 250 recruitment procedures were launched between 2023 and late 2025 to bolster the regional workforce.

During an urgent debate in the Regional Assembly regarding hospital finances, Seidi reported that surgical production increased by more than 3% in the first half of 2026, with diagnostic exams and day hospital sessions also seeing growth. The regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) proposed savings through standardized overtime calculations, systematic inventories, and joint procurement across the three regional hospitals. However, the Socialist Party (PS) criticized management, noting that between 2023 and 2025, the surgical waiting list grew by 26% to 13,463 users, while average waiting times increased by 24% to 484 days.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Azores government reports healthcare growth amid opposition warnings on waiting lists

The Azores government reported a 3% rise in surgical production for early 2026, while opposition leaders warned of a 26% increase in surgical waiting lists and rising wait times.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azores-government-reports-healthcare-growth-amid-opposition-warnings-on-waiting-lists

### 2026-10-02: Azores Health Secretary denies withholding spending data

Azores health officials have denied claims of withholding data after the PS party requested details on the costs of transporting healthcare professionals and hiring external providers.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azores-health-secretary-denies-withholding-spending-data

### 2026-09-27: Azores health official addresses mental health and school wellness

Azores health official Mónica Seidi reports improvements in pediatric and school health programs, while addressing a regional shortage of psychiatrists through consultancy and increased training.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azores-health-official-addresses-mental-health-and-school-wellness

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Cite as: Azores regional healthcare management and oversight. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/azores-regional-healthcare-management-and-oversight