Pico starts minor surgery in Madalena and gains two family doctors
Azores GuidePatients on Pico will no longer travel to Horta Hospital on Faial for minor procedures, and family doctor coverage on the island reaches about 90%.
The Pico Island Health Unit (USIP) will offer minor surgery consultations and procedures at the Madalena health centre from the end of October. Mónica Seidi, the Azores regional secretary for Health and Social Security, announced the change during a visit to Pico.
Until now, patients needing these procedures had to travel to Horta Hospital on Faial. Seidi said minor surgery on the island would spare them inter-island trips.
Two new family doctors will also start work, one in Madalena and one in São Roque do Pico. They were recruited in a competition for three posts, one in each of the island's municipalities. In 2025, two earlier competitions ended with the posts unfilled.
With the new doctors, family doctor coverage on Pico stands at about 90%, according to the regional government. It is about 97% in Madalena and 100% in São Roque do Pico, not counting people who have no family doctor by choice.
Shortages remain in Lajes do Pico, where retired doctors help provide primary care. The municipalities offer housing support on top of regional incentives for health professionals.
This site reported earlier that the Azores plan a national campaign to attract and retain doctors.
Sources
Azores Guide
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