Hospital Joaquim Urbano

Was this once a place of hope? Standing before the silent buildings of Hospital Joaquim Urbano, it’s hard to imagine the hustle and bustle that once filled these halls. This hospital, tucked away in the heart of Porto, holds over a century of stories within its walls. Built in response to a cholera outbreak in 1884, the Hospital Joaquim Urbano was initially a temporary structure known as the “Hospital de Guelas de Pau”. It was a time of fear and uncertainty, with the spectre of disease looming large. While the initial cholera threat subsided, the hospital was repurposed time and again over the decades to combat outbreaks of the plague, typhoid, and even polio. The hospital’s name, bestowed in 1914, honors Dr. Joaquim Urbano, its first director and a man deeply devoted to public health. Hospital Joaquim Urbano wasn’t just a place for treatment. It was a place of learning and innovation, becoming a center for the study and treatment of infectious diseases. In fact, Portugal’s first HIV patient was treated here in 1985. Sadly, the hospital’s doors finally closed in 2016. Yet, even in its silence, Hospital Joaquim Urbano stands as a testament to the ongoing battle against infectious diseases. It’s a reminder of the countless lives saved and the medical advancements made within its walls.