Greece implements major National Health System overhaul

Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and Deputy Minister Eirini Agapidakis have announced a significant overhaul of the National Health System (ESY), characterizing the last three years as a period of systemic restart. The initiative has utilized approximately 2 billion euros in funding, with 1.77 billion euros sourced from European funds via the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the ‘Greece 2.0’ program.

A major focus of the reform is the modernization of Primary Healthcare. To date, 156 health centers—representing 50% of the country’s total—have undergone radical renovation and energy upgrades. In the Evros region, the Minister inaugurated the Dikais Health Center following a renovation project costing 1.88 million euros, which included laboratory reconstruction, the installation of photovoltaic systems, and new heating and cooling infrastructure.

Key technological and structural advancements include the implementation of a new telemedicine system to facilitate access to medical opinions for complex cases, the creation of a digital patient file, and the introduction of Mobile Health Teams (KOMY) to provide home-based medical services. These measures aim to reduce waiting lists and transform the country’s healthcare landscape from fragmented repairs to a comprehensive structural upgrade.