Dr. Nikitas Kanakis, General Secretary and Past President of the Doctors of the World Greek Chapter , accompanied by Mrs. Eugenia Thanou, MdM Administrator, and Ms. Christina Psarra, MdM Missions Coordinator, presented on the harsh realities of health care access for the uninsured in Greece. Dr. Panos Minogiannis , President and CEO of the St Savvas Oncology Center in Athens and lecturer at Columbia University in New York was also on Wednesday’s panel. St. Savvas has assisted MdM in its activities on many occasions. Dr. Minogiannis provided information regarding the financial underpinnings of the health care crisis and on measures taken on a local and national level to address the problem. Dr. Nicholas Mezitis, President of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York was the moderator for the evening’s discussion. Consul General of Greece, Mr. George Eliopoulos, Federation Vice President Mr. Chris Vournas, Doctors of the World American Chapter President Dr Henry Chang, Dr. George Liakeas and Dr. Stella Lymberis 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, respectively, Athenians Society President Mr. Panos Adamopoulos, Ms. Vasiliki Filiotis, President of the Greek Teachers Association Prometheus, Philip Vogis, Treasurer of the Hellenic Relief Foundation and Past Governor AHEPA District 5 New Jersey, society representatives, physicians, educators, the media and many members of the community were present. The panel consensus was that the health care situation in Greece is serious and deteriorating daily. Prospects for improvement in the short-term are few. The Hellenic-American community and its professionals have both the will and the means to make a difference and to help alleviate suffering in Greece at this time.
On Thursday evening, at Lenox Hill Hospital , the Doctors of the World representatives met with Dr Nicholas Mezitis and Hellenic Medical Society of New York representatives and with Dr. Gregory Papadeas from Colorado, HMS NY member, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and supervising physician for the Ionian Village summer camp in Greece. Needs for the MdM health clinics in Greece were reviewed in detail to include mobile units, vaccines and diagnostic laboratory equipment and supplies. MdM has more than 600 physician volunteers in all specialties throughout Greece. However, as MdM President, Dr. Liana Maili, explained in her interview on COSMOS FM 91.5 ΥΓΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΖΩΗ last week, there are now 4 million uninsured and unemployed Greeks having difficulty in accessing health care. Co-pays for public hospitals. clinics and medications are frequently unaffordable. Many children miss school for lack of vaccinations.
The meetings were productive in increasing public awareness and in defining needs so that a plan of action can be drafted and implemented.
