Sao Tome, Jan. 15, 2026 (Lusa) - The Prime Minister of Sao Tome visited the archipelago's main hospital on Thursday, on the day he completed one year in office, and said he had noted the continuing shortage of medicines, drinking water and specialised human resources.
"The lack of medicines is nothing new to anyone, and it is not something that can be hidden, since we have always lived with this situation," said Américo Ramos, after visiting all the departments of the Ayres de Menezes Central Hospital.
The head of the São Tomé government stressed that partner institutions and countries have provided most of the medicines and consumables to the national health system through donations, but noted that this aid has decreased in recent years.
However, Américo Ramos said that some medicines and consumables have arrived in the country in recent weeks "to solve the immediate problem," arguing, however, that "real medium- and long-term planning is needed to avoid these constant shortages," which should involve joint purchases with other partners.
Another problem identified and complained about by the population is the lack of drinking water in the hospital: "There is no water to drink, to bathe, or to take medicine," complained one patient, who reported that hospitalised people have to buy bottled water or fetch it from nearby homes.
"I know, and we all know, [that] the hospital's water problem has been going on for some time now [...] these are structural issues that require fundamental interventions," said Américo Ramos.
In addition to the lack of water and medicine, the prime minister also pointed to the shortage of specialised human resources in the health sector due to emigration and the deterioration of the hospital's infrastructure.
"There is a shortage of health personnel, so we need to work on this," said the prime minister.
"The government has made a titanic effort with its partners, private and otherwise, to improve the conditions of this hospital," he added, stressing that the government is working on implementing short- and medium-term measures to address the identified shortcomings, including the urgent procurement of medicines and improved water supply management.
The Sao Tome government was sworn in a year ago after President Carlos Vila Nova dismissed former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, citing "remarkable inability" to solve the country's "countless challenges" and "manifest institutional disloyalty."
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