The European MAG SUDOE project has taken a new step in its strategy for the transfer and consolidation of results with an institutional meeting held with Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health (DGS) on June 23, 2026, in Lisbon.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) and the Portuguese Society of Public Health (SPSP) with DGS officials, with the aim of presenting the project’s progress and exploring opportunities for strategic collaboration for its implementation within the Portuguese healthcare system.
Driving innovation in genetic counselling
During the meeting, the project team presented an overview of MAG-SUDOE, highlighting in particular the development of a structured mentoring intervention aimed at professionals in genetic healthcare. This initiative seeks to strengthen skills, professional support, and the quality of services in this field—key elements for personalized medicine and patient-centered care.
The importance of mentoring as an innovative training tool was also emphasized, given its ability to promote continuous learning and improvements in clinical genetics practices.
In the words of Milena Paneque, project coordinator and researcher at i3S: “Mentoring in genetic counselling is a fundamental tool to support professionals in their ongoing development and to ensure high-quality care. With MAG-SUDOE, we aim to facilitate the transfer of this knowledge to the healthcare system, contributing to its sustainability and to a greater impact on public health.”
A strategic collaboration for sustainability
One of the main objectives of the meeting was to formally invite the Directorate-General of Health to join the project as an associated partner, thereby consolidating a strategic alliance to translate scientific results into public health policies.
DGS’s participation would facilitate the implementation, scalability, and sustainability of the intervention developed by MAG-SUDOE, contributing to its integration into Portugal’s National Health System and strengthening genetic counselling services.
Positive results and new opportunities
The meeting was very positively received by DGS representatives, who expressed strong interest in the methodology and potential impact of the project.
The dialogue made it possible to identify new opportunities for collaboration and to gather key input on the challenges and needs of the healthcare system, which will help adapt and optimize the intervention within the national context.
The discussion of the project and its potential benefits for the healthcare system encouraged further reflection on how to leverage the mechanisms already in place within the system to enable a faster and more efficient implementation. The value of this project was recognized, and the necessary mechanisms were activated to ensure the continuity and strengthening of this partnership between the involved entities.
Advancing towards greater public health impact
This meeting represents an important step in strengthening the connection between research, clinical practice, and health policies—one of the core pillars of the MAG-SUDOE project.
Through initiatives such as this, the consortium continues to work toward transforming scientific evidence into concrete solutions that promote professional development among specialists and improve the quality of healthcare across the SUDOE area.