"Portugal can be at the cutting edge in any field"

The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins visited the Botton-Champalimaud Centre for Pancreatic Cancer in Lisbon, the first centre in the world focusing simultaneously on researching and treating one of the most difficult to treat and deadliest types of cancer.

After visiting the centre that was opened in 2021, Luís Montenegro made a statement where he read the message left in the institution’s logbook, where he wrote that the international recognition of the centre’s quality reinforced his "conviction that Portugal can be at the cutting edge of progress in the world in any field."

The Prime Minister began by writing that "it was with deep recognition and gratitude that I visited the Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Centre and was able to testify to the excellence in innovation, research, and treatment conditions this facility offers people".

Luís Montenegro also left "huge congratulations to Dr Leonor Beleza [chair of the Champalimaud Foundation] and Dr João Silveira Botelho [vice-chair] for the outstanding work carried out towards health and progress in the treatment of highly problematic diseases.

The Prime Minister likewise noted that "the vision seen in every detail and the willingness to reconcile the treatments with patients’ well-being is truly touching".

"Having had the opportunity to be here and witness this recognition from other countries, such as the United States, I am even more convinced that Portugal can be at the cutting edge of progress in the world in any field", he added.

The Botton-Champalimaud Cancer Centre, focusing on pancreatic cancer study and treatment, was opened in September 2021 and stems from a partnership between the Champalimaud Foundation and the couple Maurício and Charlotte Botton, who contributed with 50 million euros for its construction.