The “NewsRoom” show on ERTNews hosted Eirini Agapidaki.

The deputy health minister a reported on the repatriation operation of 70-year-old Greek man from a cruise ship abroad, the concerns surrounding the hantavirus, and the major interventions being promoted by the Ministry of Health in the prevention and operation of the Ministry of Health.

The minister described “absolutely successful”the repatriation operation, noting that it was set up in a few days with the cooperation of the Ministry of National Defence, the Air Force, the EKAB and the EODY. As he explained, the patient was immediately transferred to Attikon University General Hospital and is being treated in a negative pressure ward, where he will remain for 45 days, closely monitored according to the prescribed health protocols.

She said the 70-year-old is asymptomatic and in good condition, while explaining that the increased measures were decided as a precautionary measure, as contacts on a cruise ship are considered high-risk. She said, “our country has taken the highest protective measures to be 100% sure,” while revealing that there is constant communication with Sotiris Tsiodra as well.

Responding to concerns about the Chantavirus, Ms. Agapidaki admitted that the news initially caused concern in public opinion, but clarified that it is not a case similar to the coronavirus pandemic. As he said, this virus is transmitted only under very specific conditions, after close and prolonged contact with a sick person, which significantly reduces the risk of widespread spread.

“We are alert, we have taken measures, there is no reason for concern,” he stressed, while recommending special attention in rural and open areas, with basic hygiene rules and the use of protective equipment where necessary.

“Silent revolution” in prevention

Much of the interview was devoted to prevention programmes, which the deputy minister called “a silent revolution”for the health system.

As she pointed out, “we have transformed the Ministry from a Ministry of Disease to a Ministry of Health,” presenting figures showing that more than six million citizens have already participated in free preventive examinations, while some 200.000 cases have been detected in time.

Agapidaki stressed that early diagnosis radically changes the course of many diseases, citing as an example breast cancer, where cure rates exceed 95% when the disease is detected early. “You don’t just save lives, you save health,” he said.

New programmes for hypertension, lung cancer and skin cancer

The minister announced yet another new set of prevention programmes, which are expected to start from late summer to early autumn.

Among them, the hypertension programme stands out, with Agapidaki revealing that more than 500,000 people in Greece are estimated to be suffering without knowing it. The aim of the programme is to detect high blood pressure early before serious complications, such as cardiovascular events, occur.

At the same time, planning is also progressing for organised lung cancer and skin cancer prevention programmes, with an emphasis on high-risk populations and early diagnosis.

Treatment and home care

The deputy minister also placed particular emphasis on the new NHS philosophy around mobile health units and home care.

“We can no longer wait for people to come to us – we go to them,” she noted, explaining that the new model is mainly aimed at the elderly, people with disabilities and citizens with severe mobility difficulties.

Mobile Health Teams carry out home visits, providing free medical examinations and basic care services, while the process is activated through the toll-free telephone line 1135.

In parallel, mobile units will cover remote, island and mountainous areas of the country, carrying out preventive checks, screenings and vaccinations in local communities.

Mrs Agapidaki also highlighted the cooperation with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, through which the network of mobile health structures is being strengthened. As she said, the new units will “plough the whole country”, creating together with telemedicine and home services a single network of care that will reach even the most remote parts of Greece.