Madeira's regional secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Freitas, spoke at the opening of the third Medical Residency Conference of SESARAM this morning.
She identified demographic ageing and the prevalence of chronic diseases as pressing challenges for the Autonomous Region of Madeira. She argued for acting directly on health determinants and modifiable risk factors, extending preventive work to schools, families and the wider community.
Addressing the residents, she stressed the need to combine technological innovation and digital transformation with the humanist side of clinical practice, noting that trust between doctor and patient remains irreplaceable. She also acknowledged SESARAM's maturity and the daily dedication of health professionals.