“I continuously and truly trust this solution,” stated the healthcare professional, who gave testimony today before the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission into the fire at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES). The commission concluded a series of hearings with various individuals and institutions this Friday to examine the causes and effects of the fire that occurred on May 4, 2024.
Despite this confidence, Pedro Soares acknowledged that the modular hospital, which cost around 30 million euros (more than twice the amount initially estimated by the Azorean government), will continue to require some improvements over time.
“I personally believe that the modular hospital has the basic conditions we need at this moment. However, it is essential for us all to realize, as it has become evident recently, that some adjustments here and there are necessary,” admitted the president of the Azorean Branch of the Order of Nurses.
The decision by the regional coalition government (PSD, CDS-PP, and PPM) to construct a modular hospital has sparked significant controversy in the Azores. Some political parties and former hospital administrators argue that the funds invested in this project should have been used to restore HDES.
During the inquiry, legislators questioned Pedro Soares about whether the Order of Nurses had issued an endorsement for the modular hospital solution, as claimed by Azorean Government President José Manuel Bolieiro of the Social Democratic Party. Soares referred only to “opinions.”
“An opinion is not the same as an endorsement. What we provided were opinions on the modular hospitalization and the HDES fire. These opinions were often made during meetings due to the speed of events,” explained Pedro Soares.
Opposition parties (PS and BE) sought to explore the alleged discrepancy in the government’s statement regarding health professionals’ endorsement of the modular hospital solution. They also referenced testimony from Carlos Ponte, president of the Order of Doctors in the Azores, who agreed with the government’s decision yet claimed not to have provided an official endorsement.
The president of the Azorean Branch of the Order of Nurses also criticized the main building of Ponta Delgada Hospital for still lacking the necessary conditions to accommodate patients, challenging those who advocated for a quick intervention after the tragedy to restore the facility’s operations.
“Suggesting that we could clean the walls, apply a coat of paint, and replace some wires, and then be ready to start, I think this trivializes health and serious matters like the safety of our patients,” insisted Pedro Soares. He admitted that he did not “trust” the internal HDES study, which anticipated the hospital could reopen in August last year, just three months after the fire.
The head of the Order of Nurses in the Azores further explained that the declarations of non-liability submitted by various HDES nurses, citing inadequate conditions in the emergency service (even before the fire), have since diminished. However, some issues persist in the modular hospital due to insufficient human resources.
