“It is very important, because we are all one country, because we have the same methodology to see the main health needs for the Portuguese population,” said the Director-General of Health, Rita Sá Machado, highlighting the importance of aligning policies between the region and the mainland, for example, in vaccination programs, maternal health, and child health.
The official spoke at the signing of the General Cooperation Agreement with the Regional Health Directorate, which took place at the University of Madeira facilities in Funchal.
The Regional Director, Bruna Gouveia, emphasized the importance of “promoting coordination” with the national authority to align the regional strategy with national planning, enhancing synergies for “better health for the entire population.”
“This collaboration agreement is general and aims to align the work between the technical teams of the National Health Plan and the Regional Health Plan for all areas of the population,” she said, explaining that specific agreements will be established later in areas identified as priorities in the region, such as cardiovascular, oncological, and respiratory diseases.
