Free cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment screenings for all citizens aged 30 to 70 are part of a new promotion of the Spyros Doxiadis public health program starting early next year.

In particular, according to the amendment to the bill on palliative care, the action concerns the conduct of screening tests for cardiovascular risk, as well as a visit to the doctor for evaluation of data and risk with full state coverage. Among the tests will be a study of the lipid profile of each citizen, as well as factors contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome. The beneficiaries of the promotion are Greek citizens and citizens of other countries who legally reside in Greece between the ages of 30 and 70 and have a driver’s license. The total number of beneficiaries is estimated at 5.5 million.

Personal doctors

A joint ministerial decision, to be published in the near future, will determine the implementation details of the promotion, such as covered exams and medical visits, the healthcare providers and physicians who will participate, as well as reimbursement prices for medical visits and diagnostic tests. . Health Minister Thanos Pluris said yesterday that personal doctors will also participate in the program, who will be paid by the state for this action in addition to the fees they receive today. He even described this additional payment as another incentive for physicians to join the network of personal physicians.

Every year in Greece, 20,000 cases of heart attack are recorded. 105 deaths per 100,000 population due to ischemic heart disease in Greece (2019). 1,800,000 CVD deaths in the EU €210 billion total cost of CVD to the EU economy.

It is worth noting that the amendment includes an article according to which medical, nursing and other scientific and paramedical personnel of the National Health Service, directly involved in the implementation of the activities of the Spyros Doxiadis program, can receive targeted remuneration. .

The goal of the new action of the Doxiadis program is to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, since early identification of risk factors and their management can prevent their development. Approximately one in two men and one third of middle-aged women suffer from one of these diseases. More than 1,800,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases are recorded annually in the EU. and 6,000,000 new patients. The total cost of cardiovascular disease in the EU economy. is valued at more than 210 billion euros per year. It is estimated that 20,000 heart attacks occur in Greece every year. As stated in a recent OECD report, in 2019 there were 105 deaths from coronary heart disease per 100,000 people in our country. The EU average is 115 deaths per 100,000 population. France and the Netherlands had 45 and 52 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively, due to cardiovascular disease.

In the same amendment as the article on cardiovascular control of the population, reimbursement of the cost of narcotic drugs of the state monopoly (morphine and pethidine) by insurance organizations without the participation of the patient, when they are prescribed for outpatient use and dispensed in private pharmacies. As stated in the explanatory note, morphine ampoules available in private pharmacies (25,000 pieces), 6,000 pethidines, as well as liquid morphine preparation are not compensated by EOPYY, as a result of which special categories of patients, such as cancer patients or patients with chronic pain of other causes , fulfilling prescriptions in private pharmacies, pay 100% of their cost.

In addition, it is planned to extend until the end of 2023 the exemption period for former EKAS beneficiaries from participating in pharmaceutical expenses, to increase the maximum EOPYY spending limit on diagnostic tests for 2022 with an additional 15 million euros and to exclude heparins from the monthly amount of hospital pharmacy expenses incurred from 01.01. 2021, due to special conditions due to the pandemic (recommended for patients with COVID-19).

Numbers

20 000 cases of heart attack are recorded annually in Greece.

105 deaths per 100,000 population from ischemic heart disease in Greece (2019).

1 800 000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the EU

210 billion euro total cost of cardiovascular disease in the EU economy.

Unvaccinated doctors outside the ICU

Mandatory use of a high-protection mask, two self-covered rapid tests per week, and work in areas where they will not be in contact with vulnerable patients include a protocol for the return of unvaccinated doctors. and nurses to the hospital, which will take place on 01.01.2023. In particular, doctors and nurses who return to their positions will not be able to work in intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units and in places where immunocompromised patients are admitted and visited, according to the decision of the infectious diseases committee of each hospital. . In addition, the test results must be made in the structures where they will be officially registered, so that it can be checked whether the measures are being followed.