The Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (IPO Lisbon) marked, on February 27th, the 70th anniversary of its Home Care Unit (UAD).
Created on February 27, 1956, by Professor Francisco Gentil and Doctor Silveira Botelho, with the support of the Portuguese League Against Cancer and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, its objective—pioneering at the time—was to guarantee the provision of home care to cancer patients, while also promoting more humanized support for their families.
To mark the date, an olive tree was planted on the grounds of IPO Lisbon, donated by Horto do Campo Grande, represented here by Diana Pinheiro from the HCG Marketing and Communication Department. As an ancient tree, whose first references in Portugal date back to the 7th century and which means so much to the Portuguese people, symbolizing peace, resilience, and hope, but above all life, the association with the history of the UAD and the journey of patients and families during the provision of services made perfect sense; a photographic exhibition evocative of the history and evolution of the UAD over the 70 years was also inaugurated.
Madalena Feio, coordinator of the UAD, highlighted that “celebrating 70 years of the Home Care Unit is to recognize the profound impact that this team has had on the lives of thousands of patients and families.”
The IPO Lisbon UAD team currently has 12 professionals, including doctors, nurses, a social worker, and a spiritual assistant. It monitors about 65 patients per year, carrying out 2,000 home visits and 2,250 telephone consultations.
The donated olive tree was nicknamed the “Tree of Hope,” marking the resilience of those fighting cancer and the mission-driven spirit of the UAD, which after seven decades remains a national reference in the humanization of home care, contributing to the reduction of hospitalizations and improving the quality of life for thousands of families.
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
