Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Third Region Military Health Centre, inaugurated this Monday, 17 March, represents a significant step towards improving health conditions for military personnel and providing support for the general population. The Minister of State and National Defence, Janine Lélis, highlighted that this unit reflects “the concern of the State and the Armed Forces with ensuring health conditions and military service”.
The infrastructure, which cost approximately 18 thousand contos, is part of the Government’s Programme to create better conditions in the area of military health. According to the Minister, the inauguration of this centre reinforces citizens’ confidence in Compulsory Military Service and the Military Institution, in addition to consolidating other reforms carried out in this sector. This investment is in line with the Government’s commitment to providing the Armed Forces with modern and functional structures, ensuring an environment more conducive to the performance of military duties.
This is the second Military Health Centre to be opened in the space of a year, in addition to other measures implemented, such as the regulation of the military health service, the updating of the Psychophysical and Unfitness Profiles table, and the reinforcement of the Military Regions with ambulances. These measures are essential to ensure that military personnel receive adequate support throughout their careers, preventing health problems and ensuring a rapid response in emergency situations.
During the inauguration ceremony, Janine Lélis expressed “great satisfaction” with the completion of the project, emphasising that this is an essential investment for the well-being of military personnel. The minister stressed that the initiative aims to ensure not only the comfort of military personnel, but also to reinforce the importance of compulsory military service.
“The presence of a modern and properly equipped health centre is an added value for our personnel, as it allows them to perform their duties with greater safety and peace of mind, knowing that they have adequate medical support”, she highlighted.
“We want to ensure that our military personnel and their families have confidence in military service. We want them to know that, upon joining, they will be well cared for and welcomed,” stated Janine Lélis. She also added that improving the structure of military service has been a priority for the Government, which is working to clearly define the organization’s responsibilities and competencies. New military health center The minister assured that the unit will have a permanent doctor, a nurse and adequate equipment to provide medical care to military personnel. She also stressed that ambulances are already being distributed across the three military regions to ensure a more effective response in emergency situations. The goal is to ensure that no military personnel is left without support when it comes to their health, regardless of the region where they are deployed. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Rear Admiral António Duarte Monteiro, highlighted that the general population will also be able to benefit from this health center, through protocols to be established with hospitals and health departments. “We have already signed protocols with the Baptista de Sousa Hospital in São Vicente, and we are in the process of signing agreements with the hospitals in Praia and Sal. In addition, we will establish partnerships with the health departments,” explained the official.
According to the rear admiral, of the total budget of 18 thousand contos, around 15 thousand contos were allocated to the construction of the building and the remainder invested in the acquisition of equipment. The infrastructure is prepared to guarantee continuous medical assistance to the military, reinforcing the institution’s response capacity in terms of health. The operation of this center will also allow for more rigorous monitoring of the physical and psychological conditions of the military, contributing to better health management within the Armed Forces.
Government Vision
The creation of the Third Region Military Health Center is part of the Government’s broader vision to strengthen the Armed Forces, making them more resilient and prepared for future challenges. In addition to investments in health infrastructure, the Executive has been working on modernizing military equipment, training personnel and improving the working conditions of military personnel.
The inauguration of this health center also responds to an urgent need to guarantee specialized medical care for military personnel, who often face adverse conditions while performing their duties. With a properly equipped structure and a trained clinical staff, it is expected that military personnel will be able to benefit from faster and more effective care, reducing trips to civilian health units.
The Command of the Third Military Region (3rd RM), also known as the Justino Lop Unites, is one of the three military regions of the National Guard Command. It is the command with the largest number of personnel and the largest area of jurisdiction. Headquartered in Praia, Santiago Island, it has jurisdiction over the islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava, as well as Ilhéus Secos. The Command has six operational units, namely the Military Police Company, the Service Support Company, the Marine Corps Company, the Coastal Surveillance Company, the Air Defense Battery and the Field Artillery Battery. It also has a Military Band, the only one in the entire national territory.
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