{"id":46438,"date":"2026-11-05T22:42:22","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T22:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wajesha.org\/?p=46438"},"modified":"2026-11-05T22:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T22:42:22","slug":"guinea-bissau-to-lead-formation-of-new-association-of-african-portuguese-speaking-dermatologists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wajesha.org\/pt\/guinea-bissau-to-lead-formation-of-new-association-of-african-portuguese-speaking-dermatologists\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guin\u00e9-Bissau liderar\u00e1 a forma\u00e7\u00e3o de uma nova associa\u00e7\u00e3o de dermatologistas de l\u00edngua portuguesa africana"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Amad\u00fa Tidjane, WAJESHA, GUINEA BISSAU REPRESENTATIVE\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guinea-Bissau has been given a leading role in the formation of a new association of African Portuguese-speaking dermatologists following the unanimous election of one of its medical specialists, Dr S\u00edlvio Coelho, to coordinate the association’s Interim Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision was taken on October 29, 2026, at the Alf\u00e2ndega do Porto Congress Centre in Porto, Portugal, during the 2026 Ibero-Latin American Congress of Dermatology (CILAD).<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed Association of African Portuguese-speaking Dermatologists (ALDA) brings together 23 dermatologists from five Portuguese-speaking African countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the meeting, the specialists unanimously approved a proposal to establish and formally constitute the association.<\/span><\/p>\n

The name ALDA received 21 votes in favour, with two abstentions and no votes against.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five countries agree to establish association<\/span><\/h3>\n

The meeting marked an important step in efforts to strengthen professional relationships and scientific cooperation among dermatologists in the five African Portuguese-speaking countries, collectively known as the PALOP.<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussions provided an opportunity for specialists to consider shared challenges in dermatological healthcare, particularly in countries where access to diagnostic facilities and treatment remains limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

The meeting was held alongside CILAD Porto 2026, which placed particular emphasis on strengthening relationships among scientific communities from Portuguese-speaking countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The congress provided a platform for participants from the PALOP to exchange clinical experiences and discuss common challenges in their respective healthcare systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

The congress organisers also provided a dedicated room for the African dermatologists to hold their meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The participants expressed appreciation for the invitation and hospitality, with special recognition given to Professor Omar Lupi for his leadership of CILAD and his support for cooperation among Portuguese-speaking medical professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

One-year deadline to establish association<\/span><\/h3>\n

Although the decision to establish ALDA has been approved, the association is still in the process of being constituted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants agreed on a one-year period to prepare its statutes, internal regulations, formalise its brand, establish a budget and determine its membership fee arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n

The location of the association’s headquarters has not yet been decided.<\/span><\/p>\n

To support communication and mobilise other dermatologists in their respective countries, representatives were also identified for all five participating countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The representatives are Professor L\u00eddia and Dr Juliano for Angola; Dr Raquel and Dr Melinda for Cape Verde; Dr S\u00edlvio and Dr Edgar for Guinea-Bissau; Dr Rolanda and Dr L\u00facia for Mozambique; and Dr Keyla for S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Training and joint research among priorities<\/span><\/h3>\n

The proposed association aims to build a more connected community of African Portuguese-speaking dermatologists capable of working together to address healthcare needs across their countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its priorities include continuous professional training, mentorship for young specialists, professional placements, joint research and the exchange of experiences among hospitals, universities and scientific organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

These areas of cooperation are expected to create opportunities for specialists to share knowledge and strengthen professional capacity across the five countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The initiative also seeks to encourage stronger collaboration between medical professionals and scientific institutions within the Portuguese-speaking African region.<\/span><\/p>\n

What the initiative could mean for Guinea-Bissau<\/span><\/h3>\n

For Guinea-Bissau, participation in the proposed association could create opportunities for professional training, technical support and improved access to specialised knowledge in dermatology.<\/span><\/p>\n

The country continues to face challenges relating to access to complementary diagnostic examinations, specialist services and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cooperation through ALDA could be particularly useful in the diagnosis and management of leprosy, infectious skin diseases, autoimmune skin conditions and blistering diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n

It could also support the development of clinical research in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

The election of Dr S\u00edlvio Coelho to coordinate the Interim Committee gives Guinea-Bissau a central role in the preparatory process of the regional scientific initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the practical benefits of the association will depend on its successful formal establishment and the implementation of the work plan agreed upon by representatives of the five countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The October 29 meeting in Porto marks a new phase in efforts to organise dermatologists across the Portuguese-speaking African countries, moving the initiative from earlier discussions towards an agreed structure, shared responsibilities and a defined timeline for its establishment.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Guinea-Bissau has assumed a leading role in the formation of the Association of African Portuguese-speaking Dermatologists (ALDA), following the unanimous election of Dr S\u00edlvio Coelho to coordinate its Interim Committee. The initiative brings together 23 specialists from five African Portuguese-speaking countries, with priorities including professional training, joint research, mentorship and improved cooperation in dermatological healthcare.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":46439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-science"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t