Joaquim Chaves Saúde has further strengthened its presence in the Azores with the opening of a new laboratory in São Miguel, located in the heart of the city of Ponta Delgada. The new facility introduces a concept of transparency, allowing people outside the building to see the entire laboratory process taking place inside.
Located at No. 3 Rua Conselheiro Dr. Luís Bettencourt Medeiros Câmara and inaugurated by Sandra Silva, Chair of the Board of Directors of the São Miguel Island Health Unit, representing the Regional Government of the Azores, and by Pedro Nascimento Cabral, Mayor of Ponta Delgada, the new facility will serve as the hub of Joaquim Chaves Saúde’s operations on the island. It will house the entire laboratory sample-processing operation while also featuring a Clinical Analysis Centre open to the general public.
The facility will be open from Monday to Friday, from 7.00am to 6.00pm, and on Saturdays from 8.00am to 12.00pm, with sample collection available from 7.00am on weekdays and from 8.00am on Saturdays.
One of the most distinctive features of the new facility is its ‘transparent laboratory’ concept. Two large shopfront windows, with no decoration or visual barriers, provide a clear view into the laboratory, allowing passers-by to observe the activity taking place each day — from the equipment in operation to the technical teams responsible for processing samples.
Joaquim José Chaves, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Joaquim Chaves Saúde, explains: “This concept aims to bring the public closer to the reality of laboratory work and make visible the processes, technology and specialist expertise behind every result. More than an architectural choice, it is a way of communicating the transparency, rigour, precision and trust that characterise Joaquim Chaves Saúde.”
The new facility also strengthens Joaquim Chaves Saúde’s capacity to serve the Azores, where the organisation is already present in every municipality on the island of São Miguel.
“With expertise in Clinical Pathology, Medical Genetics and Anatomical Pathology, and a portfolio comprising more than 7,000 analytical parameters, Joaquim Chaves Saúde is able to meet the full range of clinical needs and further consolidate its position as a leading partner in Clinical Analysis in the region,” highlights Rui Pinto, Technical Director of Laboratório Dr. Joaquim Chaves.
Geographical coverage is another distinguishing factor. With a presence in every municipality on São Miguel, the population benefits from a network of Clinical Analysis Collection Centres at various locations across the island, combining proximity with the response capacity of a large-scale laboratory.
For Carlos Oliveira, Technical Director of Laboratório Dr. Joaquim Chaves Açores – São Miguel, “being close to the community is an essential part of delivering high-quality healthcare. Our presence in every municipality on São Miguel enables us to be closer to local communities and our partners, ensuring a more agile and coordinated response. At the same time, having a large-scale laboratory facility in Ponta Delgada allows us to bring together expertise, technology and technical capacity, making these capabilities available to the entire region. It is this combination of proximity and response capacity that we aim to strengthen in the Azores, contributing to healthcare that is increasingly accessible, efficient and aligned with the needs of the community.”
“The opening of this new laboratory further strengthens our proximity to the population by providing a facility with greater processing capacity and a broader range of clinical analyses, complementing the network of Clinical Analysis Collection Centres already operating on the island. Our aim is to ensure that customers have access to a high-quality service, with the convenience and technical expertise they need, regardless of where they are located,” adds Ana Resendes, the facility manager.
With a clear focus on innovation, technology and transparency, the new Laboratório Dr. Joaquim Chaves Açores – São Miguel aims to establish itself as a leading facility on the island, bringing the public closer to the laboratory and offering an insight into everything that takes place during the processing of a clinical analysis.