NOVA University of Lisbon hosted the launch of the third edition of the Health Parliament Portugal (HPP), an event that gathered 60 participants selected from 759 applications. At the opening session, rector Paulo Pereira called for the development of health solutions grounded in knowledge, evidence, and dialogue among society's diverse sectors.
Paulo Pereira emphasized the importance of spaces that allow for the convergence of different perspectives to tackle complex challenges, citing health as a clear example. "Complex problems are not solved by a single institution, a single profession, or a single area of knowledge," he stated.
The rector recalled the impact of previous editions of the program, which resulted in 110 recommendations, 17 of which have already been implemented, such as the simplification of medical boards and the establishment of the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation. "Perhaps the most interesting legacy of these first editions is another: demonstrating that participation can have consequences. That debate can produce knowledge. That knowledge can inform decisions. And that some of those decisions can, effectively, transform reality," he declared.
Pereira also defended the role of universities as centers for critical thinking and for bridging science and society. He warned that despite the profound transformation in healthcare driven by artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and data, technology alone is not sufficient. "The real challenge lies in the ability to transform knowledge into decision, decision into action, and action into better responses for people," he stressed.
Addressing the participants, he urged them to use the next six months to question, debate, and test ideas, valuing the diversity of their backgrounds. "A good idea can come from where we least expect it," he concluded.
The inaugural session also elected João Paulo Magalhães, a public health specialist doctor, as president of the third edition of the HPP. Magalhães will serve as the initiative's spokesperson and will coordinate the six thematic commissions with the Executive Committee, which includes representatives from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Microsoft, and NOVA University of Lisbon, as well as Expresso.
Participants began their work in the six thematic commissions: Access and Integration of Care; Data and Artificial Intelligence in Health; Innovation and Health Value; Oncology; Prevention and Diagnosis; and Mental Health. Topics such as access inequalities, AI utilization, early diagnosis, and mental health will be discussed.
The plenary session included interventions from Francisco Pinheiro Catalão, Secretary of State for Health Management, and Filipa Mota e Costa, General Director of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Portugal, along with members of the Advisory Council.
The Health Parliament Portugal is promoted by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Expresso, Microsoft, and NOVA University of Lisbon, aiming to develop proposals for Portugal's health challenges.
