The motivation to participate in the Postgraduate Course in Health Economics and Health Outcomes stemmed from the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem functions, particularly in relation to the approval of medicines.
The hybrid format of the classes fits well with an active professional life as a Market Access manager in a pharmaceutical company. The diverse experiences of both the instructors and participants make the sessions collaborative and dynamic.
Marta Rodrigues
Public Affairs Lead – Ipsen Portugal
At NOVA NSPH I found much more than just a place of learning, I found an environment where I was able to grow on many levels. From my Master’s to my PhD, I took part in national and international projects that resulted in publications and conference presentations. I also took on responsibilities as President of the Students’ Association and as a member of the Pedagogical Council, contributing with initiatives that made a real impact on our community. The close relationship with lecturers, researchers and fellow students made this experience unique, created a lasting bond with NOVA NSPH, and strengthened my confidence in the path I chose to follow.
Francisco Madeira
PhD Student
The Postgraduate in Health Economics and Health Outcomes was essential to complement my training in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The classes, materials, and practical examples provided a comprehensive view of Health Economics, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in Public Health at NOVA NSPH. In addition to the knowledge gained, the sharing of experiences among colleagues was enriching. The course boosted my career, allowing me to better understand the healthcare system and evolve as a hospital pharmacist and now as a research fellow.
Ana Rita Santos
Health Economics Researcher – Value for Health CoLAB
My journey at NSPH began 4 years ago when I joined the Master's programme in Public Health, and has been consolidated until I started my PhD. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to take part in national and international research projects that have made a decisive contribution to my academic and professional growth, allowing me to build a solid and diverse network. I actively participated in the school's associative life, which was an enriching experience, not only because of the teamwork and community spirit, but also because I was able to represent and contribute to the continuous improvement of the student pathway at NSPH. NSPH is not only a place for learning, but also a place for belonging, growth and transformation. And it is with great pride that I am part of this community.
Francisco Madeira, a research fellow at the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH), took part as a speaker in the panel “Health policies: let’s do the maths”, integrated in the event “Debating to move forward”, organised by Observador under the Arterial project, dedicated to cerebrocardiovascular diseases.
The debate, which took place at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon, focused on the economic impact of these conditions and on the public policy options required to improve the efficiency of the health system. It brought together decision-makers, researchers and institutional representatives.
During his intervention, Francisco Madeira presented data from a longitudinal study that analysed, over a 21-year period, the costs associated with the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, including acute myocardial infarction. According to the findings, the cumulative cost of these episodes reached approximately €1.8 billion, equivalent to around 1% of the annual budget of the National Health Service, highlighting the significant burden these diseases place on the sustainability of the system.
The researcher explained that the largest share of costs is associated with hospitalisations, surgical procedures and medical devices, and also underlined the evolution of the average cost per patient over time. After a period of increase until 2011, reflecting more interventional approaches, average costs declined, in line with the adoption of more conservative clinical practices. The exception was 2020, marked by the pandemic, when the worsening clinical condition of patients upon hospital admission once again led to higher costs.
For Francisco Madeira, these findings reinforce the importance of prevention as a central strategy, not only to improve patients’ quality of life but also to enhance the cost-effectiveness of health responses. The research fellow also stressed the need to measure, monitor and systematically integrate data, an essential condition for supporting informed decision-making and more effective public policies in tackling cerebrocardiovascular diseases.
NOVA NSPH’s participation in this debate reflects its commitment to producing and disseminating scientific evidence that is relevant to the development of health policies, contributing to a more integrated, efficient and sustainable approach to the major challenges facing the National Health Service.
To read the full news article in Observador, click here.
The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) has launched a new edition of the Postgraduate Programme on Female Genital Mutilation, reinforcing its commitment to human rights, gender equality, and public health.
At the official opening session, the Dean of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias, emphasised that this programme “represents more than a training course: it is a commitment by the country, public institutions, civil society, and academia to address a practice that constitutes a serious violation of human rights, a form of gender-based violence, and a significant public health issue”.
The postgraduate programme results from a strategic partnership between NOVA NSPH and several public entities directly involved in health, equality, and migration, reflecting an integrated and intersectoral approach to this public health and human rights issue. The training involves collaboration with organisations such as the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), and the Directorate-General of Health (DGS), as well as the government areas responsible for Health, Equality, and Immigration, strengthening coordination between public policies, professional practice, and academic knowledge production. The opening session was attended by the Deputy Secretary of State for Health and Equality.
Female genital mutilation continues to affect girls and women in various contexts, including in Portugal, where communities from countries where the practice persists reside. The physical, psychological, and social consequences of FGM are profound and, in many cases, irreversible, requiring qualified, coordinated, and culturally sensitive responses.
Specialist Training for Qualified Intervention
The postgraduate programme is aimed at health professionals and technicians who play a central role in identifying, monitoring, and protecting women and girls at risk. According to the Dean of NOVA NSPH, “no intervention can be truly effective without trained, informed professionals capable of acting with cultural sensitivity, clinical rigour, and legal security”.
The first edition of the course demonstrated very positive impacts, with high levels of participant satisfaction and clear contributions to professional practice. “We saw how this training strengthened institutional networks, brought partners closer together, and created greater coherence in field interventions”, she highlighted.
A More Robust Edition Aligned with Field Needs
The new edition of the Postgraduate Programme on Female Genital Mutilation presents updated scientific content and an even more integrated and interdisciplinary approach. Areas such as project management, inter-institutional coordination, and the inclusion of perspectives from community, technical, and clinical partners have been reinforced.
“Today, more than training professionals, we are creating benchmarks: people who will multiply knowledge, support teams, develop projects, and continue the national effort to prevent and eradicate Female Genital Mutilation”, stated the Dean.
With this programme, NOVA NSPH reaffirms the role of academia in knowledge production, professional capacity building, and support for evidence-based public policies. “We fully assume the responsibility to mobilise knowledge and support decisions based on data rather than perceptions, especially on sensitive, complex, and critical issues such as this”, she emphasised.
Addressing the students, the Dean also conveyed a message of recognition and responsibility: “Every well-prepared professional who identifies a case, supports a woman, or guides a family contributes concretely to breaking cycles of violence and protecting fundamental rights”.
The new edition of the Postgraduate Programme on Female Genital Mutilation reflects close collaboration between academia, governmental entities, and institutional partners, demonstrating a shared strategic vision and Portugal’s continued commitment to preventing and eradicating this practice.
In the wake of the devastation caused by Depression Kristin, NOVA University Lisbon is launching a series of support measures for local communities and students from the most affected regions, reinforcing the University’s commitment to solidarity, well-being, and mutual aid.
As part of this initiative, the academic community is invited to participate in a solidarity collection of essential items, including non-perishable food and hygiene products, to address the immediate needs of the affected populations. This action reflects NOVA’s values of social responsibility and highlights the importance of mobilising collective efforts in emergency situations.
Collection points include:
Cafeteria of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences;
Cafeteria of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology;
Rectory Building;
Bar at the Alfredo de Sousa Residence Building;
Reception of Colégio Almada Negreiros;
Reception of ITQB NOVA;
Reception of IHMT NOVA.
In addition to the collection of goods, NOVA is providing psychological support to students from the most affected areas. Students with scholarship status will be contacted directly by SASNOVA, while all others can seek assistance through the Human Development Office via email: gdh@unl.pt.
The Rectory is maintaining close contact with the “Mission Structure for the Recovery of Affected Areas” to identify areas where the University can contribute effectively. This initiative aims to provide tangible support to affected communities and students, recognising the severity of the situation and the urgency of the required response.
