Pharmacist returns to disillusionment in Sao Tome
Evanilde Espírito Santo found pharmacies lacking medicine and hospitals in a worrying state upon her return from Portugal.
Evanilde Espírito Santo, a pharmaceutical sciences graduate, returned to Sao Tome and Principe after studying in Portugal but found the country disappointing. She stated that pharmacies lack medicines and hospitals face similar shortages, while roads are degraded and the health system is in a concerning situation.
Santo, who spent four years abroad, said she now better understands why many young Santomeans seek opportunities outside the country. Cristiano Dondo, president of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations of Sao Tome and Principe, added that employment is a primary challenge, alongside difficulties in accessing education, housing, and land.
The federation also noted issues with vocational training systems. Young people in Sao Tome and Principe face multiplying challenges with slow-arriving solutions.
Why it mattersEvanilde Espírito Santo returned to Sao Tome and Principe to find a health system lacking essential medicines and facing worrying conditions.