In the Algarve, an innovative project is helping to reshape this reality by focusing on proximity, technology, and collaboration across the healthcare sector.

The NUMAPLUS project is a cross-border initiative between Portugal and Spain aimed at strengthening healthcare response capacity and bringing care closer to communities. More than just a standalone programme, it represents a new way of thinking about healthcare delivery, where community pharmacies play a central role as a bridge between citizens, healthcare professionals, and emergency services.

The project is led by the Spanish partner Secretaría General de Salud Pública e I+D+i en Salud and brings together a wide consortium of institutions from both countries, including the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), the University of Algarve (UAlg), the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve), and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM). It is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg POCTEP Spain–Portugal programme, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared healthcare challenges.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

At the heart of NUMAPLUS is the integration of community pharmacies into the broader public health system. Due to their accessibility and close relationship with local populations, pharmacies are uniquely positioned to support health monitoring, chronic disease management, and early intervention in risk situations. This approach enables faster, more personalised, and continuous care, ultimately improving the quality of life for citizens.

The impact of this strategy is already visible across the Algarve. To date, more than half of the region’s pharmacies have joined the NUMAPLUS project, demonstrating strong sector engagement and commitment to public health innovation. In parallel, over 200 pharmacy professionals have already been trained in Basic Life Support with Automated External Defibrillators (BLS-AED), significantly strengthening the region’s ability to respond to critical situations.

Among its key components, NUMAPLUS is also investing in the development of digital health solutions that support remote care and the sharing of information between different levels of the healthcare system. These tools improve communication between professionals, support clinical decision-making, and allow for more effective monitoring of patients outside traditional clinical settings.

Another important pillar of the project is the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases. Using innovative tools and equipment in pharmacies, it becomes possible to identify risk situations at an early stage, ensuring timely referral and reducing the likelihood of severe complications.

In addition, NUMAPLUS places strong emphasis on improving pharmacotherapeutic follow-up, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults and patients with multiple chronic conditions. Medication review, adherence monitoring, and the prevention of therapeutic errors are central elements of this effort, contributing to safer and more effective use of medicines.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client; Carla Guerreiro, Coordenadora do projeto NUMAPLUS pelo ABC.

Emergency response remains one of the most visible dimensions of the project. The creation of “cardio-safe” regions is a key objective, supported by the availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), trained professionals, and coordinated links with emergency services.

By transforming pharmacies and other community-based locations into prepared intervention points, the project significantly increases the chances of survival in cases of cardiac arrest. The principle is straightforward: the closer the help, the more effective the response.

NUMAPLUS also goes beyond clinical intervention by promoting public awareness and health literacy. Through targeted outreach and education initiatives, the project encourages citizens to play an active role in prevention and emergency response. The message is clear, everyone can contribute to saving lives.

Its cross-border dimension is another defining feature. By connecting the Algarve and Andalusia, NUMAPLUS fosters the exchange of knowledge, the harmonization of practices, and the development of joint solutions to shared challenges such as population ageing and the rise of chronic diseases.

This cooperation also helps reduce inequalities in access to healthcare, particularly in rural and border areas where services may be more limited. By strengthening collaboration between institutions and professionals from both countries, the project contributes to more resilient and future-ready healthcare systems.

Another key contribution of NUMAPLUS lies in its support for the sustainability of healthcare systems. By prioritising prevention, early intervention, and decentralised care, the project helps reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, promoting a more efficient use of available resources.

With a duration planned until the end of 2026, the project includes a pilot phase that will allow for the evaluation of the implemented measures and the adjustment of the model before potential wider expansion. This approach ensures that the solutions developed are effective, locally adapted, and sustainable over time.

Ultimately, NUMAPLUS represents a shift in paradigm. Instead of a system centred solely on hospitals, it promotes a model that is closer to people, more preventive, and more collaborative.

In a region like the Algarve, characterised by an ageing population, strong seasonal demand, and specific healthcare access challenges, this transformation is particularly relevant.

More than just a project, NUMAPLUS offers a vision for the future of healthcare: one where technology, proximity, and cooperation come together to ensure that when every second counts, help is never far away.