The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Olga Pané, and healthcare and research professionals, who highlighted the relevance of Cochrane's thinking for improving clinical decisions. The day concluded with the unveiling of a bronze bust of the researcher, installed in the hospital's lobby as a permanent recognition.
Minister Olga Pané emphasized Cochrane's critical spirit and his advocacy for medical practice based on scientific knowledge, stating, "Without the capacity for self-criticism, which involves a degree of humility, medical science cannot advance much."
The Hospital's Director, Dr. Adrià Comella, stressed that Cochrane transformed medicine by advocating that healthcare decisions should be based on the best available scientific evidence. He noted that scientific rigor, critical thinking, innovation, and commitment to people are values shared with Sant Pau, and that the bust symbolizes the union between its history and a future vision based on knowledge.
The Director of the Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Service at Sant Pau, Dr. Xavier Bonfill, recalled Cochrane's transformative role in advocating for clinical practice based on quality research. Meanwhile, the Director of the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Dr. Gerard Urrútia, highlighted the importance of clinical trials for informed decision-making.
The connection between Sant Pau and the Cochrane movement dates back to 2000, when the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre established its headquarters at the hospital, consolidating the institution's commitment to research and critical evaluation of scientific knowledge.
