According to a statement, the Health in Dialogue Platform and the FOCUS Program, partnering with the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), are implementing this project in Portugal, which started in participating community pharmacies in Amadora, Sintra, Odivelas, and Loures.

This initiative responds to Portugal’s above-average rates of HIV and hepatitis, especially late diagnoses. In this initial phase, 58 pharmacies with trained teams are participating.

The “Know Yourself” campaign targets those over 18 with voluntary, confidential, and anonymous participation, the statement notes.

Community-based associations with relevant experience are supporting the project and will help users who achieve positive results access diagnostic confirmation and care within the National Health Service.

Platform president Jaime Melancia praised pharmacies’ trusted role in reaching individuals who might otherwise miss screenings.

He added that involving community-based associations ensures each person with a reactive result receives monitoring and support for diagnostic confirmation and timely care.

FOCUS Program international director José Luis González emphasised the ongoing commitment to eliminating HIV and hepatitis as public health threats.

For her part, the president of the National Association of Pharmacies, Ema Paulino, explained that pharmacies were in a privileged position to actively contribute to public health, given their experience, proximity, and trust in their relationships with communities.

She said this environment is key to overcoming stigma and ensuring a safe, trusting process.

Between 1983 and 2024, over 66,000 HIV cases were diagnosed in Portugal, with about 24,000 progressing to AIDS.

Despite fewer new diagnoses over the last decade, late-diagnosis rates remain high compared to Europe.

The “Know Yourself” campaign began in June 2024 and is scheduled to run until March 2027.