The non-profit organization Be-Live, dedicated to addressing low birth rates and supporting couples facing fertility challenges, and InterMed SA, a pharmaceutical company within the Tsetis Pharmaceutical Group, hosted an informational event in Ioannina on Saturday, October 17, focused on demographic challenges, fertility, and family support. The event took place at the “Panagiotis N. Soukakos” Conference Center of the General State Archives – Historical Archive – Museum of Epirus.
InterMed & Be-Live: where the event was held
The event was held as part of the “Hope for Life” program — a joint initiative by Be-Live and InterMed aimed at supporting infertile couples in Epirus by improving their access to assisted reproduction treatments. This new initiative is an extension of the program already operating in Corfu and the Diapontia Islands, which was introduced two years earlier through a similar awareness event in Corfu and has since helped bring 5 healthy babies into the world.
The event was opened by Ms. Sofia Markoula, Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Public Health and Active Ageing of the Municipality of Ioannina and Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Ioannina. Ms. Markoula welcomed the expansion of the “Hope for Life” program to Epirus, congratulating Be-Live and InterMed on their initiative and expressing her full support for every couple who dreams of starting their own family.
Reproductive gynecologists and Be-Live co-founders Dr. Vasilis Kellaris and Dr. Haris Chiniadis addressed the demographic challenges facing Greece today, while also informing attendees about the possibilities and safety of in vitro fertilization (IVF), as well as the eligibility criteria for joining the Be-Live program.
What Vasilis Kellaris said
Dr. Kellaris stated: “Low birth rates and an aging population are major challenges for our country, making it essential to raise awareness and take meaningful initiatives that genuinely support families. At Be-Live, we believe that every couple deserves access to reliable information about modern assisted reproduction methods and the chance to pursue their dream of parenthood. We know that a single initiative cannot reverse the demographic crisis on its own — but it can make a real difference by creating opportunities where financial and geographical barriers stand in the way.”
What Haris Chiniadis said
Dr. Chiniadis added: “Behind every statistic on demographics, there are real people — couples and families who dream of having a child. For Be-Live, every child born through our efforts is a unique joy and a reminder of the value of what we do. Being able to support couples who live far from major urban centers is especially important, because where someone lives or how much money they have should never determine their chances of becoming a parent. The emotion we feel each time a couple achieves their dream is our greatest motivation to keep going.”
What Smaragdi Talaki said
Ms. Smaragdi Talaki, Head of HR & Sustainability at the Tsetis Pharmaceutical Group (OFET), spoke about InterMed’s longstanding presence in the healthcare sector and its commitment to addressing contemporary social challenges. As she stated: “InterMed is celebrating 30 years of consistent progress this year, with a strong focus on the research and development of health and everyday care products for every stage of life. The leadership of our Group, Ioulia and Irini Tsetis, recognize the gravity of the demographic challenge and the importance of initiatives that provide meaningful support to Greek families. For us, our partnership with Be-Live and its scientific team — which is doing truly vital work — gains even greater significance through its results: five children have already been born thanks to the ‘Hope for Life’ program in Corfu and the Diapontia Islands. This initiative is now expanding to Epirus, so that more couples can access the support they need to fulfill their wish of having a child.”
Clinical dietitian-nutritionist Ms. Kleio Houpi then presented the importance of a balanced diet for fertility, highlighting the role that nutritional habits play in reproductive health.
The program concluded with a presentation by Dr. Ioannis Georgiou, Professor of Medical Genetics and Assisted Reproduction at the University of Ioannina, who offered a comprehensive overview of the possibilities for preventing genetic diseases.
Dr. Georgiou also expressed his intention to support the Be-Live and InterMed program in Epirus by offering interested couples the opportunity to enroll in a genetic disease prevention program. This generous gesture moved the event’s organizers deeply and was met with heartfelt gratitude, as it significantly strengthens the effort to provide comprehensive, meaningful support to couples hoping to have children.
Closing the event, Mr. Nikolaos Papaioannou, Secretary General of Be-Live and former Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Athens, emphasized the importance of raising awareness and spreading Be-Live’s message so that more couples can learn about the support the organization offers. He also expressed his gratitude to the parents who placed their trust in Be-Live on their journey to parenthood, highlighting the importance of breaking down the social taboos and stigma that continue to surround infertility.
Also in attendance was Ms. Irini Tsetis from the Tsetis Group’s executive leadership, along with senior InterMed staff. Be-Live was further represented by Mr. Gavriil Michailakis, Vice President, and Mr. Diamantis Kitridis, member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Following the presentations, attendees gathered for a light reception, during which they had the opportunity to exchange views and continue discussions on the key issues raised throughout the event.
