The first Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy in São Tomé and Príncipe was established at Dr. Ayres de Menezes Central Hospital, marking a historic milestone in strengthening the country's cancer diagnosis capabilities.

This infrastructure is the result of the Onco-STP project – Improvement of cancer diagnostic capacity, promoted by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health of São Tomé and Príncipe, with the aim of ensuring conditions for carrying out anatomopathological diagnostics at a local level.

As part of this initiative and following the initial training of technicians at Fernando Pessoa University, a technical mission took place between the 4th and 8th of May. The lecturers from Fernando Pessoa, Maria do Céu Costa, Ana Conceição Sousa, and Dylan Ferreira, were on the ground supporting the organisation of the laboratory and ensuring the continuation of the training for São Toméan healthcare professionals.

The creation of this laboratory will, for the first time, allow for the performance of anatomo-pathological diagnoses in the country, with a significant impact on diagnosis, early detection, clinical follow-up, and the definition of more appropriate therapeutic strategies.

This project highlights the importance of international cooperation and reinforces the contribution of the Fernando Pessoa University to the development of sustainable solutions in global health.