“I want to express a word of gratitude and recognition. What each one did, they did well,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro today at a ceremony honoring the professionals of Hospital CUF-Açores, located in the city of Lagoa, following a meeting with CUF CEO Rui Diniz.
A statement from the regional coalition government highlighted that besides paying tribute to the professionals involved, the event also marked CUF’s 80th anniversary, “a symbolic milestone of longevity and commitment to health.”
The fire at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo (HDES) in Ponta Delgada, the largest on São Miguel Island in the Azores, necessitated moving services and patients to other regional health units, Madeira, and the mainland.
“Thanks to the rapid and effective response of the region’s health structures, closely coordinated with the private sector, continuity of care was ensured without severe consequences for the patients,” the statement noted.
José Manuel Bolieiro, quoted in the statement, attributed the operation’s success to “a coordinated effort, where everyone gave their best.”
“It was a calamity, but it went well because there was effort, dedication, and professionalism,” emphasized the official, adding, “there were no shortcuts; there was virtue in how the difficulty was faced.”
The Azorean executive leader also praised CUF’s accommodation of patients, ensuring “conditions of dignity and clinical quality.”
The tribute also served as an opportunity for the leader to “reinforce the Azorean government’s commitment to a collaborative strategy among the public, private, and social health sectors,” with Bolieiro advocating for a complementary model to “enhance resources and capabilities, ensuring a more robust and integrated response network.”
“We want a strong SRS, prepared to respond to essential needs, and the essence cannot be limited to the minimum,” he stated.
The Regional Government of the Azores leader concluded with a message of encouragement: “Every situation is a learning opportunity. We will continue working towards a better-prepared, more humane, and closer health system.”
The fire on May 4, 2024, at HDES caused an estimated 24 million euros in damages and required the transfer of all hospitalized patients.
The hospital services reopened gradually, and a modular hospital was installed next to the HDES building, which will undergo repair and modernization works.
On May 13, Giovanni Nigra, director of Hospital CUF-Açores, speaking at the parliamentary inquiry into the HDES fire, stated that the facility billed the region 3.7 million euros for health services provided after the fire but refused to label it as a “business.”
“No, this was not a business! It was a pause in our healthcare service and project, which ended up being slightly compromised during this period, but we would do exactly the same,” he assured.
Giovanni Nigra explained to Azorean parliament deputies that the health unit he presides over did not seek to “take advantage” of the disaster that befell HDES and the administration decided not to charge any expenses during the first ten days following the fire.
