JUNE 2022
COVID19
MdM’s Covid19 Vaccination Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki
In May, the Open Polyclinics of MdM in Athens and Thessaloniki started to operate, in addition to their services, as Covid-19 Vaccination Centres for vulnerable social groups of the population, supporting the vaccination campaign of the Ministry of Health.
The aim of the action is to increase the access of vulnerable social groups to the vaccination process to protect their health and to reduce the spread of the pandemic. Several vulnerable citizens such as those living in precarious housing conditions, asylum seekers and recognized refugees, seasonal workers from countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, people without legal documents and the recently displaced population from Ukraine, have been able to have their vaccination in a direct and easy way at the Open Polyclinics.
NIGHT SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
Interactive talk on addictions
A three-part interactive talk on addictions took place at the MdM Shelter for the Homeless, with speakers being the volunteer psychologist Mr. Emmanouil Aikaterinidis, the psychology intern Ms. Yasemi Elena and the psychologist of the Shelter, Mr. Mihalis Matzaridis.
A STEP FORWARD
A step forward, regardless of the starting point
Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, Médecins du Monde has responded immediately to the increasing needs, both at the Romanian/Ukrainian border with the provision of medical, psychosocial and material care, and by welcoming refugees from Ukraine to Greece, in Athens and Thessaloniki, with similar services.
THESSALONIKI POLYCLINIC
Strengthening medical services for children
A successful effort to strengthen and improve the medical services provided to children took place at the Open Polyclinic of Thessaloniki. More specifically, the existing paediatric clinic, which is staffed by five volunteer paediatricians, strengthens the services provided to children who face difficulties in accessing specialised medical services, with the services of a volunteer paediatric ophthalmologist, paediatric endocrinologist and paediatric surgeon. Already since the first days, more than seventy children have received these health care services.
FOLEGADROS
Primary Health Care
The Doctors of the World team on the island of Folegandros continues its action by offering primary health care services to the island’s residents, performing blood collections and home visits where necessary.
ATHENS POLYCLINIC
Next to those who need us
“Good morning, we have an appointment today for my daughter. She has multiple congenital problems, she needs an orthopedic and neurosurgeon. In Kiev we had the doctors who have been following us since her birth, but now we only communicate with them via email. We had to do her tests this month and arrange when the surgery will be done. But the war started and we left. We don’t know anyone here. Also, our little girl needs vaccines. And maybe you can help us with baby food. We need medicine and first aid items for the house.”
STREETWORK
A rescue at the port of Piraeus
During a visit of the street work team to the port, while we were providing regular care to the homeless population, one of them, who appeared to be intoxicated, refused to receive assistance despite our repeated efforts. We continued on to the rest of the population, however, a short distance away, a team member saw the beneficiary heading towards the sea and falling in. We immediately went to the spot, where with the help of our team and the coast guard, we managed to pull the man out of the water, but he was unconscious.
LESVOS
Psychosocial support for children and parents
“My communication with my children is easier now, more relaxed. I see and hear things that I didn’t focus on as much before. I’m calmer and happier.”
N. participates in the psychosocial support program for children and parents, which is carried out in partnership with Movement On The Ground in Lesvos. The program offers a holistic approach to mental health and, among other activities, provides family psychoeducation sessions and strengthening family bonds.
MISSION
At the Romanian/Ukrainian borders
The mission team at the Romanian/Ukrainian border continues to support the refugee population by providing the necessary medical and psychosocial care. At the same time, in cooperation with representatives of local actors in Chernivtsi region, it supports with humanitarian aid deliveries, health care structures in Ukraine.
KAVALA
Actions for Health
During the month of May, the actions of the MdM branch in Kavala were as follows::
- On 11/5/2022, a visit to the Primary School of Zygou with a dentist and volunteers of the Organization took place to inform students about oral health issues and distribute personal hygiene items to all students of the school.
- On 19/5/2022 we visited together with a pediatrician and volunteers the Municipal Apartment of Pigi in the Municipality of Nestos and vaccinated 38 children aged 1-14 years old with childhood vaccines.
- On 25/5/2022, volunteers and a dentist visited the 1st Primary School of Eleftheroupolis to inform students about oral health issues and distribute personal hygiene items to all students of the school. We provided vaccines to children in the prefecture without an AMKA in order to get vaccinated.
- We sent medicines and parapharmaceutical material to the old people’s homes of Kavala, which we collected from the offers of our fellow citizens.
Support the work of Doctors of the World so that we can continue to support our vulnerable people
Wherever people are
