The administration of Fernando de Noronha has announced plans to expand medical care starting in March, with an aim to reduce the number of patients requiring Treatment Outside the Home (TFD) by up to 70%. This initiative comes after the island saw 1,180 TFD cases in 2025, where patients had to travel to the mainland for medical assistance. The new outpatient facility at Hospital São Lucas is expected to facilitate this increase in care, allowing for more specialist consultations to be conducted locally.

Juliana Zaidan, the manager of Medium Complexity at the Health Superintendency, emphasized that the reduction of TFDs is a strategic priority for the local government. She noted that efforts to decrease treatments on the mainland were already underway last year, with initiatives including partnerships with specialists from the Altino Ventura Foundation. The goal for this year is ambitious, aiming for a 70% reduction in the necessity for patients to seek medical services away from the island.

By improving healthcare access directly on the island, the local government hopes not only to provide more efficient medical care but also to retain more patients who would otherwise seek treatment elsewhere. This effort signifies a broader commitment to improving health outcomes for the residents of Fernando de Noronha, enhancing the overall quality of life on the island. The expansion of medical services is seen as a critical step towards enhancing community health and reducing the logistical burdens associated with off-island medical care.