A cooperation protocol that will allow wider and regular use of telemedicine in Sao Tome and Principe was signed between the General Health Director, Dr. Francisco George, representing the Portuguese Ministry of Health, Dr. Amilcar Afonso, chargé of affairs in the Sao Tome Embassy, representing the Ministry of Health of Sao Tome and Principe, and Mr. Paulo Freitas, administrator of the Instituto Marquês de Valle Flor.
Part of the “Health for All” project, this protocol promotes the efficiency and effectiveness of medical evacuation processes using telemedicine, allowing for the monitoring and counselling at a distance of patients, but also helps the health professionals of Sao Tome to interpret exams, define diagnostics and therapeutics. It will also be possible to guarantee a better decision faced with the need (or not) of evacuation, better targeting and scheduling cases, directing them to specific services in Portugal and also allowing for the follow-up of the patient after returning to his country of origin.
With a duration of 48 months, this protocol between Sao Tome and Principe and Portugal is a recognition of the project “Health for All”, which has been operating for the last twenty years, either in management or in the provision of health care, contributing significantly to health gains and placing Sao Toméan health indicators well above the average of other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.