As part of the REACH OUT project, the organization Farmamundi has supplied 18,000 rapid tests for HIV and syphilis to support people living in vulnerable conditions in Italy, Greece, and Malta. This contribution plays a crucial role in strengthening healthcare efforts targeting undocumented migrants, people experiencing homelessness, seasonal workers, and families in precarious situations—many of whom are excluded from formal healthcare systems.

The project, coordinated by INTERSOS and co-funded by the European Commission through the EU4Health programme, aims to improve access to healthcare for over 3,500 people over a three-year period. It is based on an integrated approach that combines medical care with psychosocial support and legal guidance.

The tests supplied by Farmamundi, using lateral flow (LF Reader) technology, enable the rapid detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum (the bacterium that causes syphilis) and HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-1 subtype O, providing an effective, reliable, and field-friendly diagnostic tool.

“These tests make it possible to intervene early, helping prevent serious complications and reducing transmission risks—especially in communities where stigma and lack of information still pose major barriers to healthcare,” says Inma Barquero, from Farmamundi’s Humanitarian Logistics Unit.

INTERSOS’s decision to partner with Farmamundi was driven by the need to identify a reliable, experienced ally with global reach. Farmamundi is officially registered as a Humanitarian Procurement Centre (HPC) with DG ECHO, the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

In addition to INTERSOS and Farmamundi, the REACH OUT project also involves DIGIVIS and Fondazione PIN in Italy, the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing in Malta, and the NGO PRAKSIS in Greece.

Read the full article on Farmamundi’s website.