Purpose: The INFORMA em AÇÃO project aims to promote access to the SNS - National Health Service - by migrant communities and the improvement of the conditions in which it takes place, by collecting and systematising information, translated into several languages and mediating concepts understood by people from different origins.
Stimulus/Rationale: The project sought to increase understanding in different languages and according to cultural constructions, among health professionals and people with migratory backgrounds.
Process: The project was led by Casa do Brasil de Lisboa (House of Brazil in Lisbon) in partnership with the Portuguese Ministry of Health, the city of Lisbon, Portugal, GAT (Group of Activists in Treatments), the ACeS Lisboa Central (Central Lisbon Health Centers Cluster) and the GABIP Almirante Reis (promoted by the Lisbon City Council, Aga Khan Foundation of the Arroios Parish Council). The initiative aimed to create manuals about health in several languages. The leaflets were designed in partnership with local groups of migrants that were able to raise the most pressing topics to discuss including for example pregnancy, birth and STD control and diabetes. The manual further included images to describe each subject. Mediators from the designated communities were hired to moderate conversations with local groups, develop the texts and translate them and the process of developing the manuals was participatory. This was incremental in ensuring that the materials were adequate and culturally responsive, and not mere translations.
All materials were developed within the framework of a participatory process with the involvement of professionals from different areas and migrants. The Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum in Portugal and the Guide on the Importance of Well-being in Health were developed in partnership with GABIP- Almirante Reis and the Central Lisbon Health Centers Cluster (ACES Central), while the Guide for Migrant Participation in Health Policies and Services was developed in partnership with GAT – Group of Activists in Treatment. Furthermore, a leaflet about well-being and mental health was developed and several workshops were held to distribute the leaflets and open debates about public health services and migration.
Impact: The guides are available in 6 languages: Bengali, French, English, Mandarin, Nepali, Portuguese. The project was funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, managed by the High Commission for Migration and co-financed under the partnership with GABIP – Almirante Reis.
Key reference documents:
