The 15th Panhellenic Patient Congress officially opens its proceedings this morning, running through late tomorrow afternoon. Organized by the Patient Union of Greece (ENASEL) at a central Athens hotel, the congress brings together representatives from government, the scientific community, healthcare professionals, and patient associations.
This year’s event marks 15 years of dialogue and advocacy, during which the congress has established itself as a leading public forum for addressing patient needs and shaping healthcare policy. The focus, however, has shifted beyond mere institutional representation of patients — it now centers on their meaningful participation in decision-making, improving the quality of healthcare services, and ensuring better conditions for patient care.
Built around four core pillars — Access, Quality, Equality, and Sustainability — the 15th Panhellenic Patient Congress places at its heart the priorities needed to build a National Health System (NHS) that genuinely responds to citizens’ real needs, reduces inequalities, and harnesses the full potential of science and technology.
The congress will be attended by representatives from the political leadership of the Ministry of Health and public administration, members of the academic and scientific community, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and patient association delegates from across Greece. This gathering of voices from across the healthcare spectrum creates a vital space for exchanging views and bringing to light the everyday challenges patients face.
The critical challenge ahead is ensuring that dialogue moves beyond simply identifying existing problems — translating into concrete proposals and clear priorities for the changes needed so that patient needs take a central and meaningful role in the design and implementation of healthcare policy.
