Free pharmaceutical treatment for adult obesity was announced by Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki, while simultaneously announcing the launch of programs targeting both childhood obesity and kidney dysfunction. Specifically, Eirini Agapidaki stated, speaking to ERT: “From September, innovative free pharmaceutical treatment for obesity will be available for individuals with a Body Mass Index above 40.”
Read: Georgiadis: Serious insurance compensation for obesity treatment drugs
She clarified that before treatment is provided, mandatory evaluation by a pathologist, endocrinologist, or general practitioner will be required, while the pharmaceutical intervention will be compulsorily accompanied by nutritional monitoring and exercise. Additionally, Eirini Agapidaki announced that as part of actions for childhood obesity, a new digital application will be created to promote exercise and health behavior changes for both children and adults. The app will include videos with exercise programs for the entire family and will be free.
Eirini Agapidaki: You don’t wait for anything – everything happens automatically
The Deputy Health Minister also referred to the “Prolamvano” (Prevention) program, reiterating that all preventive examinations are free, easy, and accessible through https://preventive.gov.gr. Access is only through the use of AMKA (Social Security Number). “The system shows which examinations each citizen is entitled to. Diagnostic centers can see this and guide you. You don’t wait for anything – everything happens automatically,” noted Eirini Agapidaki. After the first examination, the system automatically issues the next referral, without the citizen needing to take any action.
She made special reference to the specialized blood test for kidney dysfunction prevention, which will be added to the program for individuals with diabetes or increased cardiovascular risk, as “early kidney damage doesn’t show symptoms and can be prevented if detected early.”
Eirini Agapidaki: Prevention is the gift we must not neglect
When asked by viewers about the inability to prescribe cancer markers by personal physicians, Eirini Agapidaki replied: “These specific markers don’t concern prevention, but monitoring the progress of patients diagnosed with cancer. They are clawback examinations and can only be prescribed by oncologists.” Additionally, regarding the lack of contracted diagnostic centers in Kos, she attributed the situation to coordinated withdrawal of private laboratories from EOPYY to pressure for better contracts. “We have strengthened the hospital and will deploy mobile health units to cover residents’ needs,” noted the Deputy Minister.
Finally, Eirini Agapidaki emphasized that 3.6 million citizens have already undergone examinations through “Prolamvano,” noting that: “For the first time, a prevention culture is being built in Greece. We go when we feel good – not when we feel symptoms. Prevention is the gift we must not neglect.”
