Current Position
Public Health Expert, Former Director General of the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO)
Background
After completing primary and secondary education in his hometown, Dr Cardoso enrolled at Bissau’s first Medical School, General Raul Dias Argueles in 1986 where he obtained his medical degree and later graduated with an MSc in International Health from the Institute of International Health at the University of Copenhagen. As a physician, he worked in several health facilities around the country and held different positions within the National Health System.
Experience
He was Director General of Public Health from 2006 to 2008, and West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) focal point for Guinea-Bissau. In January 2008 he was appointed Director General of WAHO. He returned to Guinea-Bissau in 2014 and performed an essential role as the President of the National Institute of Public Health until July 2018 and National Coordinator of Emergency Operational Centre among others positions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was appointed secretary of the High Commission for COVID-19.
Expertise
He is one of the founder members of the CHAMPS Global Partners Board and member of the Portugal Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Institute ( IHMT) advisors board. Dr Cardoso is multilingual, and he speaks fluent Portuguese, Spanish, French and English.
Achievements
He received several awards from national, regional and academic entities. In October 2019, he received the “Honoris Causa” title of doctorate in science (D.Sc) from the Commonwealth University, specializing in International Health.
Publications & Research
Dr.Cardoso, is a author and co-author of several scientific papers. The most recent works published were in 2023 on the Science and Health Governance, the case of Guinea-Bissau, in 2024 on Establishing Regional Centers of Excellence: Capacity Assessment of Fully-Established National Public Health Institutes in Africa and in April of 2025 on The Trajectory of Health in Guinea-Bissau over 50 years: Advances and Challenges.
