“Yes, the average waiting time has gone up. And why? On 4 May 2024, a fire broke out at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada,” Seidi explained during a parliamentary debate held in Horta, following a political statement from the Chega party.

The health secretary added that, alongside the fire at the region’s largest hospital, renovation work was also carried out in the operating theatre at the Hospital do Santo Espírito on Terceira Island, while the ventilation system at the Hospital da Horta on Faial Island was replaced.

According to the July bulletin from the Azores’ Integrated Surgical Waiting List Management System (SIGICA), the average waiting time for surgery across the three hospitals rose by 39 days compared with last year, and the number of patients awaiting procedures increased by 1,680.

“Month after month, the average waiting time continues to rise,” lamented Socialist MP José Toste, adding that the situation within the regional health service now resembles that of 2019.

The issue was raised by Chega MP Hélia Cardoso, who criticised the governing coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) for a lack of transparency regarding healthcare data. She noted that the government launched a public health indicators portal in March 2024 but described the published data as “unambitious” and insufficient.

Bloco de Esquerda MP António Lima accused the executive of “hiding the true state” of the regional health system, while PSD MP Salomé Matos countered that there are positive developments, notably a rise in family doctor coverage, which is now nearing 80% on Faial, up from 66%.