The Portuguese Directorate-General for Health has published a technical document providing guidance on access to the national health service for migrants, refugees and professionals who provide care and support. The document helps ensure that migrants and refugees are able to obtain health care as part of the response to COVID-19.

According to the Secretary of State for Health, Mr António Lacerda Sales, ‘The most vulnerable populations have been a constant concern of the Government and health authorities. Migrants and refugees are living a situation of displacement and vulnerability and often residing in collective dwellings’.

Speaking at a press conference, he explained that the document provides more flexibility in procedures for obtaining a national health service number. He also stated that the document encourages addressing language barriers through intercultural mediators and language interpretation by phone, namely through the migrants’ support phone line (808 257 257) of the High Commission for Migration.

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