213 “aMigo” : Improving migrants’ access to and navigation in healthcare services at a Local Health Unit in Lisbon

Abstract EP3.1, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 3, 2025, 10:35 - 11:00 Aim Migrants often face significant barriers in accessing and navigating healthcare systems, including linguistic, cultural, and structural challenges. At São José Local Health Unit (ULS) in Lisbon, where more than 8.8% of users are foreign nationals, these difficulties impact both healthcare professionals and migrant patients, limiting effective service provision and equitable access to care. This project aims to implement four-level initiatives by September 30th, 2025, to enable long-term improvements in migrant access and navigation within ULS São José’s healthcare services. Methods The project is structured around four strategic axes: developing an intranet-based platform to provide healthcare professionals with culturally competent resources for migrant patient care; implementing a training program on migration and cultural competence for ULS professionals; creating and disseminating an online multilingual platform with information on healthcare access, patient rights, and health literacy topics for migrant users, in partnership with migrant organizations and community associations; and conducting two quantitative studies—one targeting ULS professionals and the other migrant users—to assess barriers in healthcare access and navigation. Results With this intervention, we expect to achieve the following outcomes: ensure the availability of a fully operational intranet platform for professionals, with at least 90% of users reporting satisfaction; deliver all planned training sessions with full participant enrollment; provide multilingual healthcare access materials in at least nine languages, with 90% of users expressing satisfaction; report the studies’ findings to the ULS administration to support policy and resource adjustments. Conclusion This intervention seeks to address structural barriers by enhancing information accessibility and professional training. Its findings will support long-term institutional policies and decision-making, foster?continuous improvements in migrant healthcare access and?integration at ULS São José, and provide a replicable model for other healthcare institutions seeking to improve migrant inclusion.