Greece is now leading the way in Europe in prevention and early diagnosis, implementing one of the most comprehensive national preventive examination programmes.

The Greek experience is already emerging as an example of good practice at the European level, with more and more countries adopting similar policies that emphasise prevention, public health and the reduction of inequalities.

This was noted by the Deputy Minister of Health, Eirini Agapidaki, during her online intervention at the event hosted by European Parliament entitled “Promoting Early Detection for Better Cardiovascular Outcomes: aiming for comprehensive health check programmes across Europe”, which was co-organised by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH).

Mrs Agapidaki presented the pioneering reform and referred to the strategic importance of prevention and early diagnosis to improve cardiovascular health of citizens. He stressed that cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of death in Europe, despite the fact that a significant proportion of them can be prevented through organised public health policies.

“In Greece we decided to respond to this challenge with specific actions. For decades, our health system – like many others in Europe – has been based mainly on hospital care and on treating the disease after it has occurred. Prevention remained fragmented and often depended on the initiative of each citizen, financial capacity or access to large urban centres,”

“The question is no longer whether we have the knowledge or the scientific tools. The real question is whether we can organise our health systems so that prevention reaches all citizens in a timely, equitable and effective manner,” she added.

With particular reference to the National Programme “PROLAMVANO“, which provides free and organised access to preventive examinations for all citizens, insured and uninsured, regardless of their social, economic or geographical situation, she stressed that “already, more than six million citizens have participated in the preventive programmes”.

The National Programme “PROLAMVANO“, which provides free and organised access to preventive examinations for all citizens, insured and uninsured, regardless of their social, economic or geographical situation, she said. Our goal is not only to increase the number of preventive examinations, but to create a new health ecosystem focusing on prevention at all stages of life”, Agapidaki added and in this context she highlighted as crucial conditions for the success of prevention policies the firm political will, intersectoral cooperation, ensuring adequate funding and systematic evaluation of results. He noted that “prevention programmes cannot be based on fragmented interventions. They need long-term planning, strong infrastructure and continuous support.”

Closing her statement, the Deputy Minister of Health stressed that the new European strategy for cardiovascular diseases creates an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation between EU Member States and to build a strong European framework for prevention and public health, with the aim of improving the quality of life of all European citizens.