Rewarding those who want to do more and better, with recognition that promotes and amplifies projects and professionals who are transforming the healthcare system in Portugal is the main objective of the Top Health Awards. The awards return for the third edition, with the award ceremony scheduled for March 25, 2026. The application period is now running, until November 30.
“The awards cover institutions in a broad way, from academia to primary care, from hospital services to intervention in society. The impact is almost immediate because it largely reinforces the projects and allows others to also develop and be recognized in subsequent years. Having this recognition helps them become more visible, inside and outside the institutions, and increases the possibility of financing”, says Hélder Mota Filipe, president of the Order of Pharmacists and member of the jury.
Applications were received by the TOP Health Awards jury in last year’s edition
The initiative will distinguish applications in four different areas, considered critical for the transformation of the sector: Health Literacy; Health Care Integration; Technology and Data in the Health Service; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Francisco Nogueira was one of the winners of the first edition of the awards with SenseGlove, a sensory glove that, through an artificial intelligence algorithm, evaluates changes in breast tissue and helps to detect breast cancer early. The project won in the Technology and Data at the Service of Health category, designed for initiatives that demonstrate how digital can transform and benefit the system, with solutions at the service of the community and the patient.
“This award brings together the main stakeholders of health in Portugal and, therefore, for us, in addition to public recognition, it brought great scientific validation. It gave us credibility. It demonstrates that these national innovations can have a real impact on the lives of the Portuguese and on the health sector”, he says. Francisco Nogueira adds that SenseGlove, currently undergoing clinical trials in Portugal and the United States, will become available on the market at the beginning of 2028.
In addition to innovation, projects nominated for the Top Health Awards are evaluated for their contribution to a fairer, more humane and sustainable healthcare system. The Case Management Program of the Local Health Unit of Litoral Alentejano, under the responsibility of nurse Hugo Mendonça, is an example of this, by promoting the follow-up of patients with chronic diseases, especially complex chronic diseases. The project was the winner in a previous edition, in the Health Care Integration category, which recognizes initiatives that promote effective coordination between the different protagonists of the health ecosystem and ensure a continuous and collaborative approach, starting from diagnosis.
“It is a model of integration of primary and hospital care that is based on following up people who are lost in the system with many specialties”, he states. Hugo Mendonça explains that the program assigns a manager to each of these cases, who works with the hospital’s internal medicine teams and the health center’s general and family medicine teams, meeting the patient’s needs. This coordination has proven to be very effective in preventing duplication of exams and consultations and reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits. “It’s a national reference. It served as a model and there are already five more health care units that have signed a protocol to start these case management teams”, he adds.
“There are many initiatives that deserve recognition. Not one or two in each of the categories”, says Hélder Mota Filipe
In addition to the winning projects, the initiative also awards honorable mentions and the personality award. For the first time this year, the Top Revelation award will also be awarded, dedicated to recognizing emerging talents and celebrating professionals who “coordinate or influence projects with concrete results and reveal a promising path as inspiring leaders”, explains the organization. Appointments are made using the talent form, available on the application website.
The Top Health Awards aim to recognize and reward projects and talents that, centered on patients and populations, contribute in an innovative and collaborative way to create more value and results in the area of healthcare.
Why is this a central theme?
The population’s low level of health literacy and misinformation have a negative impact on a sector that contributes so much to disease prevention, the economy and the promotion of health and well-being. In times of uncertainty and complexity, it is essential to show what good and innovative things are being done, contributing to greater confidence, optimism and a positive impact on everyone’s health.
Where can I apply?
Applications are open until November 30th and can be made through this form no site of the Top Health Awards, where you can also consult the regulations.
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