The Madeira Regional Government is exploring the possibility of establishing a public-private partnership to expand access to veterinary care on the island. The initiative aims particularly to support low-income families and cases involving stray animals.
According to Nuno Maciel, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, the executive's vision favors cooperation between the public and private sectors over creating a public veterinary hospital or clinic. "Our vision, the Regional Government’s vision for this area, will always follow a model of public-private partnerships," Maciel stated, highlighting the growth potential of veterinary medicine through private investment.
Under this model, private veterinary practices could provide treatments, while the Regional Government would offer financial assistance as "social compensation." This support would be directed at officially identified low-income households and cases of stray animals. Maciel also mentioned that a project involving several municipalities is under development, though he provided no further details.
