Portugal’s Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025: Fair Access to Clinical Nutrition for All

Dates: November 10–16, 2025
National Partners: ONCA Portugal & Associação Portuguesa de Nutrição Entérica e Parentérica (APNEP)
More information: APNEP – Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025

As part of the European Malnutrition Awareness Week (MAW) 2025, Portugal is leading an ambitious campaign focused on equitable access to clinical nutrition and stronger national policies for disease-related malnutrition (DRM).

Organised by ONCA Portugal and APNEP, this year’s theme “Fair Access to Clinical Nutrition” reflects both a celebration of national progress and a renewed call for action.

Policy Objectives: Building Momentum for Nutrition Equity

Portugal’s campaign places nutrition firmly on the political and social agenda, advocating for structural change and patient empowerment. The main policy priorities include:

• Educating healthcare professionals for early identification and treatment of malnutrition.

• Empowering patients and caregivers to engage actively in discussions about their nutritional status.

• Highlighting the central role of clinical nutrition in recovery and quality of life.

• Advocating for full reimbursement of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) as a first-line therapy.

• Ensuring full implementation of mandatory nutritional screening at primary healthcare (introduced in 2023).

These objectives support the overarching key policy ask:

“Ensure fair and effective access to clinical nutrition across all levels of care.”

Celebrating Progress, Calling for More

Portugal’s 7th national edition of MAW comes at a pivotal time: the country recently achieved partial reimbursement for tube feeding and modular oral nutritional supplements.

This year’s campaign will both celebrate this milestone and amplify calls for policy expansion, urging the Ministry of Health to include complete sip feeds, crèmes, and powders in the national reimbursement model.

The national initiative “Fair Access to Clinical Nutrition” thus serves as a bridge between progress achieved and future goals, ensuring that all patients, regardless of condition or care setting, can benefit from proper nutritional support.

Engaging the Public: Awareness and Action

A rich national programme will run from November 10–16, 2025, including both professional and community-focused activities:

• Solemn Ceremony marking the opening of the 7th Malnutrition Awareness Week.

• Screening sessions and workshops for older adults and other at-risk populations in community centres and elderly homes.

• Senior physical activity sessions, culminating in the official “Walk of the 7th Edition of MAW”.

• Official concert to raise awareness and celebrate progress in fighting malnutrition.

• Awareness videos and testimonials, highlighting patient stories and professional perspectives on malnutrition care.

These activities will be supported by a broad media and social campaign under the banner #malnutriçãozero, amplifying the message across multiple platforms and through collaboration with national stakeholders, including:

• The Ministry of Health,

• Medical societies (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, Nephrology, Intensive Care, Coloproctology and Gastroenterology), and

• The National Alliance of Patient Associations.

Strengthening Political Commitment

Beyond awareness, Portugal’s MAW will also feature political engagements, including hearings and discussions with policymakers and Members of the European Parliament, reinforcing the importance of integrating clinical nutrition into all stages of care.

Through this combination of policy dialogue, education, and community mobilisation, Portugal’s MAW exemplifies how national initiatives can drive systemic change, aligning perfectly with ENHA’s mission to improve nutrition care across Europe.

Join the Movement

Learn more about Portugal’s campaign and access resources via:
APNEP – Associação Portuguesa de Nutrição Entérica e Parentérica

Follow and share the campaign:
#malnutriçãozero #ONCAPortugal #MAW2025 #PortugalMAW2025 #MalnutritionAwarenessWeek