The Portuguese Malnutrition Awareness Week 2021

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzmg6rHFdaQ

Introduction

Malnutrition Awareness Week in Portugal

This was the 3rd MAW organized in Portugal, and the 2nd one with the endorsement of the Portuguese Ministry of Health.

Partners

These partners were involved in the week:

Portuguese Ministry of Health
Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine
Portuguese Society of Surgery
Portuguese Society of Oncology

Objectives & strategy

Leverage awareness of health professionals, patients, and caregivers for disease-related malnutrition in Portugal;
Educate on the importance of early screening and early nutritional treatment;
Increase awareness of the role of clinical nutrition in patient recovery;
Educate patients/caregivers to discuss the nutritional status with their healthcare professional;

To achieve these objectives, APNEP teamed up with the Optimal Nutritional Care campaign with the endorsement of the Ministry of Health and scientific support of the main medical societies.

Activities

Solemn Ceremony

Media campaign

Social media campaign

Outcomes

Solemn Ceremony

The Ceremony took place on the 12th of November 2021, at the National Palace of Queluz with the endorsement of the Sintra City Council. More than 70 relevant stakeholders were present, including the Deputy of the Minister of Health, the Mayor of the Sintra Council, the President of Portuguese Medical Schools Council and also ONCA/ENHA, ESPEN, FELANPE, BRASPEN representatives. The live streaming of the Ceremony had almost 500 online views and then reached more than 15.000 people.

During the Ceremony, a number of activities were celebrated!

The formal signature of the Portuguese NEMS: signed by APNEP (Portuguese PEN Society), ESPEN Nutrition Education Study Group (NESG), and the President of the Portuguese Medical Schools Council
The formal signature of the “International Declaration on the Right to Nutritional Care and the Fight against Malnutrition”: signed by APNEP and the President of FELANPE
The Grant Ceremony of the 19th APNEP Grant of Clinical Nutrition with 2 winners
The Grant Ceremony of 1st Grant of Clinical Nutrition Academy of Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine with 3 winners

Note: Dr. Anibal Marinho, apart from being President of APNEP, is also the Coordinator of the Clinical Nutrition Task Force of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine.