Students at the Catholic University of Medicine kick off the academic year with a charity event in Seia

The start of the academic year for 70 students at the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) was marked by the exchange of classrooms for a charity event in Pinhanços, Seia . The initiative, which took place on September 13th in partnership with the organization Just a Change, took place at the Pinhanços Social and Cultural Humanitarian Association and brought together the academic and local communities.

Throughout the day, the students participated in improvements to the association's facilities, including painting the residents' rooms—a significant effort that had a direct impact on the well-being of the patients, making the spaces more welcoming and comfortable. At the same time, they led a tour of the village of Pinhanços with the senior residents, fostering moments of social interaction and direct contact between the future doctors and the local population.

Paulo Oom, vice-director of the Faculty of Medicine at the Catholic University of Portugal, said that "in addition to being a gesture of solidarity, this action represents a first step in the path of these future doctors, reinforcing the importance of people-centered medicine, which values ​​human sensitivity and contact with others."

The action, which took place just weeks after the fires that hit the Seia region , also sought to leave a positive mark on the Pinhanços community, symbolizing hope and reconstruction in the times ahead.

Mariana Borges, communications director at Just a Change, believes that this "is an initiative that directly impacts the lives of Pinhanços residents and reflects the spirit of solidarity and collaboration of the young and academic community, at a time when it is so important to support the region's population."