The opening of the 22nd National Science and Technology Week at Fiocruz, on October 21st, was the chosen moment to celebrate the winners of the 3rd Portinho Livre Children's and Youth Literature Contest. In 2025, the theme of the initiative supported by Fiotec was "What is public health for you?".

First place winner Larissa dos Santos came from Alto Alegre do Pindaré (MA) to receive her award. The student was accompanied by her mother, Cátia Santos, and her teacher, Vilma Soares Cunha. Pih Assis (Rio Pomba/MG) and Isabela do Carmo Canale (Niterói/RJ) also had their creations awarded during the ceremony. The trophies were presented by Cristiane Sendim, executive director of Fiotec, and Adriano da Silva, director of the Institute of Scientific and Technological Communication and Information in Health (Icict/Fiocruz).

“You can’t have health without education, and you can’t have education without health. Public health teaches us this every day,” said Adriano. During his speech, the manager emphasized how education and health go hand in hand, praising the teachers' contribution to the development of the presented texts. In the afternoon, the students also had time to visit the Fiocruz Manguinhos campus and see the exhibitions at the Museum of Life.

For another year, Fiotec is supporting the Portinho Livre Contest, reinforcing its commitment to Fiocruz initiatives for the social and cultural development of Brazilian children and young people.