Brazil's Paraná state government has invested R$4m ($840,000) in Francisco Beltrão's Hospital Regional do Sudoeste (HRS) Walter Alberto Pecoits to provide more efficient care to patients.

This announcement was made by the state government via the Department of Health.

The investment in the hospital’s equipment and furniture is expected to strengthen its service capacity and infrastructure.

Paraná health secretary Beto Preto said: "This is an important reinforcement for the south-west region, which will be able to expand even more the care for the patients seen. Governor Ratinho Junior has been a great leader for the health regionalisation project and each advance reaffirms the commitment to bring care closer to people."

Of the total investment, R$3.5m has been used for the purchase of equipment and devices such as ultrasound and anaesthesia carts.

The rest of the investment has been allocated for furniture such as beds, armchairs, chairs and tables, among others.

HRS Walter Alberto Pecóits is connected to the State Foundation for Health Care (Funeas) and serves as a referral hospital for the 27 municipalities of the 8ª Regional de Saúde medical centre.

It provides services for high-risk pregnant women and intermediate-risk childbirth, polytrauma among others.

HRS director Geraldo Biesek said: "We have big projects for the hospital and we are strengthening its capacity precisely so that regional demands are met.”