The Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES) on São Miguel island, in the Azores, recorded a deficit of €14.7 million between 2019 and 2022 and is experiencing a situation of “financial unsustainability” due to “chronic underfunding“, according to the Court of Auditors. A recent audit (by the court) shows that even with a ‘notable increase in funds’ which came between those years, the amount was still “insufficient to ensure coverage of expenses incurred with the level of healthcare provided”. All that was before the fire which swept through the building in May, forcing it to close temporarily and evacuate all patients. Some services are now ‘back up and running’ – but the dire financial situation of the hospital is by no means settled. Total debts clocked up (even before the expansion project envisaged) total €92.1 million.
Azores largest State hospital ‘financially unsustainable’
