Tag: healthcare

EOPYY

Greece’s Home Delivery Service for High-Cost Medicines to Be Fully Rolled Out by June 2025

Greece’s EOPYY will fully roll out its home delivery service for high-cost medicines by June 2025, benefiting up to 125,000 patients, including 72,000 currently served in Athens and Thessaloniki. Targeting those with chronic conditions and mobility issues, the fully digital service aims to reduce wait times, ensure safer deliveries, and lower the carbon footprint, aligning with European standards.

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Dendias Announces Pay Raises for Greek Armed Forces: 13-20% Increases for Personnel

In a significant move for Greece’s military, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced on March 28, 2025, that uniformed personnel will receive pay raises of 13% to 20%, effective April 1. Unveiling a €268 million reform, Dendias emphasised a fairer payroll system and outlined plans for housing and healthcare improvements under the “Agenda 2030” initiative, aiming to bolster the Armed Forces’ role as an economic driver.

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Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Coordinates Medical Evacuation of Ten Children from Gaza

Greece has successfully completed a humanitarian medical evacuation of ten sick and injured children from Gaza, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The operation was carried out with the support of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, WHO, and Egyptian authorities. The children, who received initial treatment in Cairo, were transported to Athens on a special AEGEAN flight. They will now receive medical care in Greek hospitals, while their guardians will be accommodated by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

papra

Greek Journalists and Health Workers Stage Nationwide Strike Over Labour Rights

Greek journalists and public health workers staged a 24-hour nationwide strike on 18 February 2025, protesting unpaid wages and job insecurity. Media professionals, led by POESY, halted work in solidarity with colleagues left unpaid for months, while healthcare unions ADEDY and PDEDN demanded fair wages, permanent contracts, and full staffing in public hospitals. A demonstration was held in Athens outside media offices, highlighting the growing labour unrest in Greece.

old Greeks pensioners

Slipping in Longevity: The Quiet Decline of a Nation

Greece, once a leader in longevity, is now lagging in life expectancy gains compared to the rest of Europe. Experts highlight the need for improvements in the healthcare system to address prevention and treatment gaps, as the nation struggles to recover from setbacks experienced during the financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis SYRIZA

Greek Government Implements Sweeping Reforms and Investment Initiatives

The Greek government has implemented a series of significant reforms and investment initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s economic momentum and improving citizens’ lives. Key developments include the reduction of banking fees, healthcare improvements, the launch of new educational facilities, and strategic foreign investments. Additionally, new legislation to combat violence against women and targeted employment programs have been introduced to promote social well-being and economic sustainability.

Pserimos

Life on Pserimos: A Remote Greek Island Struggles with Basic Needs and Isolation

Pserimos, a small Greek island near Turkey, faces significant challenges with no pharmacy, supermarket, or bank. Its residents struggle with isolation, limited healthcare, and a lack of basic services, relying on supplies from Kalymnos. The island’s future remains uncertain without support for its dwindling community.

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Greece Tops EU in Unmet Medical Needs Due to High Costs

Greece faces the highest rate of unmet medical needs in Europe, with over 11.6% of its population unable to afford healthcare, according to the “Health at a Glance 2024” report by the EU and OECD. Private healthcare spending in Greece exceeds 30% of total health expenditure—double the EU average—while public funding remains among the lowest in Europe. Low-income groups are disproportionately affected, as nearly 23% report being unable to access medical services due to cost, highlighting urgent healthcare inequalities in the country.

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PM Mitsotakis: Greece Aims to Lead in Artificial Intelligence Innovation

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Greece’s ambition to lead in artificial intelligence during the “AI Connect” conference in Athens. Highlighting Greece’s National Strategy for AI and the European Commission’s recognition of the “Pharos” project, he emphasized AI’s transformative potential in public policy, healthcare, and urban development, while addressing the importance of ethical AI practices.

Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase

Jamie Dimon: AI is Transformative and Here to Stay

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase and proud Greek American, firmly believes in the transformative power of artificial intelligence. In a CNBC interview, Dimon emphasized that AI is not merely a hype but a real and lasting technology that will impact our lives in numerous ways, including revolutionizing healthcare by potentially saving lives and creating cancer cures.

Wegovy

Novo Nordisk Sues to Block Cheaper Compounded Versions of Ozempic and Wegovy

Novo Nordisk is suing to block compounding pharmacies from producing cheaper versions of its medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. The company argues that the complex nature of these drugs makes them unsafe for replication and is urging the FDA to ban compounded alternatives due to health risks, amid ongoing shortages of semaglutide.

Santorini Hoteliers Association Donates Ambulance to Enhance Island's Medical Services

Santorini Hoteliers Association Donates Ambulance to Enhance Island’s Medical Services

The Santorini Hoteliers Association has donated an ambulance to the National Emergency Care Center (EKAV) to improve medical services on the island. This initiative highlights the center’s crucial role in supporting both residents and visitors. The handover occurred during the association’s annual assembly, where members also discussed strategies to enhance Santorini’s tourism and hospitality. The donation comes at a time when many Greek islands face significant medical service challenges, particularly during the busy summer months.

b christodoulides and ursula pio 2

Cyprus Hosts European Commission President for MED9 Summit

President Nicos Christodoulides welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Cyprus for the MED9 Summit, emphasizing regional cooperation. The summit focuses on crucial regional issues, including economic development and security. Additionally, von der Leyen will inaugurate a new Dialysis Unit at Paphos General Hospital, marking progress in local healthcare services. The event aims to strengthen ties among Mediterranean EU member states.

baby hand acute hepatitis

Greek Woman Gives Birth to Grandchild Using Daughter’s Eggs

A 55-year-old woman in Greece gave birth to her granddaughter, conceived through IVF using her daughter’s egg cells. The daughter suffers from MRKH syndrome, a condition that affects the female reproductive system. This extraordinary case highlights the lengths to which families will go to support one another.

minister of health of cyprus greece transplant agreement

Cyprus and Greece Strengthen Healthcare Ties with New Agreements

Cyprus and Greece have signed two significant agreements aimed at enhancing organ transplant procedures, facilitating cross-border kidney exchanges, and enabling Cypriot patients to receive lung transplants at a renowned Athens facility. These initiatives underscore the commitment of both nations to equitable healthcare and the strengthening of their collaborative ties.