The POP Awards recognize five initiatives that put patients at the center of the healthcare system.

The Platform of Patient Organizations (POP) held the fourth annual awards ceremony, which aims to recognize exemplary initiatives that promote effective patient participation in the National Health System. The event, which took place at the headquarters of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), highlighted five transformative experiences developed in different autonomous communities and healthcare centers.

In a context where chronic illnesses and dependency impact the lives of millions of people in Spain, these awards take on special significance. The award-winning initiatives not only improve the quality of care but also highlight the fundamental role of patients and caregivers , aligning with the spirit of the ABC "We Care With You" initiative.

The awards recognized five successful experiences developed across the country. First, the Ministry of Health of the Balearic Islands was recognized in the Permanent Bodies category for its Pact for Health initiative, which strengthens the institutional commitment to citizen participation in the healthcare sector.

In the Planning category, the Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha received recognition for its innovative work in the collective design of challenges and projects focused on the humanization of healthcare, actively involving patients in the process.

For its part, the General Directorate of Socio-Health Coordination of Sermas was recognized in the Services category for its work at CEADELA, a pioneering center in day care for people with ALS, located at the Enfermera Isabel Zendal Hospital. There, they have developed a comprehensive model of care and patient experience, tailored to the needs of highly dependent people and their families.

In the Research and Innovation area, the Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Healthcare Organization, together with the Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, was recognized for its project to integrate patient experience into scientific research processes, with the goal of advancing toward more people-centered healthcare.

Finally, the Order of Sant Joan de Déu received an award in the Health Education category for its SOM Mental Health 360º initiative, a community-based care and awareness-raising initiative that focuses on education, prevention, and inclusion in the field of mental health.

The presentation ceremony was led by the director of the POP, Pedro Carrascal , and featured keynote addresses such as that of the platform's president, Carina Escobar , who stressed the importance of "continuing to advance towards a more participatory and people-centered healthcare model," also recalling that the POP continues to grow with the incorporation of seven new organizations, now reaching 47 state entities.

Also participating were the director of the AEMPS (Spanish Association of Social Welfare), María Jesús Lamas , and the secretary general of the ONCE Foundation, Virginia Carcedo , who emphasized the need to include the voice of patients at all levels of the healthcare system. "Without patients, our agency would be much less effective," Lamas stated. Carcedo applauded the fact that these awards "put people at the center," a key message in addressing chronic conditions and caring for the most vulnerable.

One of the event's key moments was the discussion between the Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, and the president of the POP, regarding the challenges of effective participation. Padilla emphasized that "participation must be meaningful to be real and useful" and that patient organizations "are a key asset for transforming the system ." Escobar, for his part, insisted that "the healthcare model must change" and expressed his gratitude for the joint work being carried out with the administrations.

In a country where more than 19 million people live with chronic illnesses and thousands of families face the challenges of dependency every day, these awards represent recognition not only for institutions but also for those who care for, accompany, and support them. Because behind every patient there is a story, a support network, and a reality that demands to be heard , the POP Awards reinforce an essential message: health must be built with people, not just for them.