Eirini Agapidaki

The Health Ministry has announced sweeping reforms to modernize its rural doctor system, expanding mandatory service to urban areas. The new system allows personal doctors to apply for posts year-round, reducing bureaucratic delays that previously hindered recruitment for rural clinics and health centers.

An appeal to women to take advantage of the “Fofi Gennimata” breast cancer screening program was made by Eirini Agapidaki from the House Social Affairs Committee.

A recent nationwide survey commissioned by the Greek Ministry of Health and UNICEF reveals alarming trends in children's health, characterized by low consumption of fruit and vegetables and a sedentary lifestyle. 

Based on the survey's alarming insight, Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki has announced forthcoming actions to combat childhood obesity.

A meeting on the reform goals for the next three years regarding the national healthcare system was held on Tuesday morning at the Maximos Mansion, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Amid an alarming outbreak of whooping cough, the Health Ministry is urging all pregnant women to get vaccinated against the disease.

Since the beginning of the year until mid-June, 264 cases of whooping cough were recorded in Greece, compared to just nine reported throughout 2023.

Of the 264 cases, 34 were reported in the first 13 days of June.

An increase in whooping cough cases has been recorded in recent months in several European countries, including Greece, where two deaths have already been recorded this year.

According to data from the National Public Health Organization (EODY), 54 cases have been recorded in Greece this year, including among 32 children and adolescents, 11 of whom are infants under the age of one.

Health authorities are keeping a close eye on the recent cases of measles in the country among adults, amid outbreaks in Romania, France, the UK and Austria.

According to Alternate Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki, there are a total of five reported cases, one in Thessaloniki and four in Hania, Crete.

The Ministry of Health is extending the age limits of the Fofi Gennimata Program for breast cancer screening. As part of new European guidelines, the program will be extended to women aged 45 to 74, compared to the current age group of 50 to 69.