The nutritionist voucher, aimed at higher education students, can be used at NOVA Medical School's Clinical Nutrition Services.
Nutritionist Alexandre Rodrigues, from NOVA Medical School's Nutrition team, coordinated by Professor Conceição Calhau, is one of the professionals who is part of this program, which comes into effect on September 30. The team includes some of Portugal's leading experts in the field of nutrition, with whom the nutritionist works closely.
This measure, created by the Ministry of Youth and Modernization, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, aims to strengthen health and well-being responses for young people. The support includes 6 nutritionist vouchers per student for the 2024/25 school year, which correspond to 6 nutrition consultations (1 evaluation consultation + 5 follow-up consultations).
This check must be requested by students from the social action services (SAS) of the higher education institution they attend. Afterwards, students must choose one of the nutritionists registered on a national list of providers available in e.Portugal.gov.pt portal.
In total, each student will have access to 6 nutrition consultations. The first is a nutritional assessment and diagnosis, in which the nutritionist determines whether the student meets the criteria for access to the measure. If so, the student will have access to the remaining 5 nutritionist vouchers. In situations where the criteria for access to the nutrition voucher are not met, the student is referred to other support services. The vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue of the first voucher.
When the student is given the nutritionist voucher, a code is generated which the student receives by SMS and through which the professional can validate the veracity and download it after the consultation.
The nutritionist vouchers cover the following indications:
- Involuntary weight loss > 5% in 1-2 months;
- Underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2);
- Pre-obesity and obesity (BMI >25kg/m2);
- Diabetes Mellitus type 1 and 2;
- Dyslipidemia;
- Arterial hypertension;
- Gastrointestinal pathology;
- Chronic kidney disease, excluding patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis;
- Oncological disease, excluding users undergoing adjuvant treatment;
- Situations of food intolerance or allergy;
- Neurological disease;
- Anemia due to nutritional deficit;
- Eating disorders;
- Pregnancy and puerperium.
For more information on other NOVA Medical School consultations/services, please visit the SITE.