Preceded by the Symposium on Medical Exchange, on 14 November and under the watchful eye of the representatives of the 13 member Medical Schools and the Portuguese State, the first Network of Portuguese Language Medical Schools (CODEM-LP) was created.

The idea of creating a network of medical schools integrating Portuguese-speaking countries arose in “informal talks” between the Director of FMUL and his peers from some Brazilian Faculties. After a period of time, the “enthusiasm was contagious”, as Professor Fausto J. Pinto recalled, and extended to Macao, Angola and Mozambique.

In his presentation speech presentation speech delivered at the FMUL’s Aula Magna, Professor Fausto J. Pinto described the first day of the Symposium as a “historic day in the annals of Lusophone Academic Medicine”.

Over the course of two days (13-14 November), the programme involved several sessions and panels, where the “potential areas of cooperation” that could lead to the “closer scientific, pedagogical and cultural relations” were presented and discussed, as the Director of FMUL said, in areas of research on stem cells, treatment of tuberculosis and HIV, cardiovascular diseases, and the impact of innovative systems of Artificial Intelligence and Telehealth on Medicine.

On the second day, after knowledge exchange, the CODEM-LP Network's Solemn Protocol Signing Session, was held, supported by the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), Maria Antónia Almeida Santos, President of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and also the Rector of the University of Lisbon, Professor Antonio Cruz Serra.

The constitution of the CODEM-LP Network ended with a closed meeting in the FMUL Council Room, where representatives from each Medical School, 13 in total, identified priorities and outlined strategies for action.

 

Isabel Varela
Editorial Team