Portugal · Community health
Ares do Pinhal presents MOBHOPE at a World Hepatitis Alliance webinar
On 2 November 2026, Ares do Pinhal shared its experience of community-based hepatitis C testing at the invitation of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), during an international webinar ahead of World Hepatitis Testing Week.
In Portugal, the Ares do Pinhal team offers hepatitis C testing to people who face barriers to healthcare. At the webinar, the team explained how harm reduction services make it possible to offer a test in a familiar setting. Trust built over repeated visits gives people space to talk about past experiences of stigma or ask what a positive result would mean for them.
The team also introduced MOBHOPE (Mobile Hepatitis Outreach and Prevention Effort), co-funded by the European Union through the EU4Health programme. The project brings together mobile teams in Portugal, Spain and Croatia. One of its aims is to connect testing with ongoing care. When someone needs a confirmatory test, the team can explain the next steps, arrange a referral and support them in accessing specialist care and treatment.
We thank the World Hepatitis Alliance for the invitation and Ares do Pinhal for bringing the Portuguese team’s experience to this international discussion.
