Free-of-charge medical tests to the residents of Symi/ Traveling for Health 2018 Initiative

10 July 2018

HYGEIA Group traveled to the remote island of Symi to provide free-of-charge medical services to the local residents on Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1, 2018. This was the 9^th volunteer campaign of the Traveling for Health initiative.

Around 2,100 tests were performed on 581 residents by volunteers from the HYGEIA Group companies, who also made two house calls. The team was made up of 28 physicians with 16 specialties, as well as another 32 volunteers, including nursing, technical and administrative staff from various HYGEIA Group companies.

The medical specialties were: vascular surgery, anesthesiology, radiology, gynecology, dermatology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, urology, ophthalmology, internal medicine, pediatrics, plastic surgery, pulmonology, general surgery, breast surgery and ENT. The diagnostic tests performed included blood tests, Pap tests, full body ultrasounds, ECGs, heart pulsed-wave Doppler and spirometry tests.

The Traveling for Health initiative was designed with the aim of meeting the needs of residents on remote small islands or mountainous regions who do not enjoy easy access to medical services. Backed by the top medical services and cutting-edge equipment of the Group’s medical facilities, the HYGEIA volunteers embark on trips to offer diagnostic tests, medical services and humane care.

A total of 8 volunteer campaigns have been completed so far, while more than 9,800 citizens have been examined and some 38,000 medical and diagnostic tests have been performed (Leipsoi & Agathonisi, Karpenisi, Karpathos, Kalavryta, Kalampaka, Leros, Tilos & Nisyros, Argos Orestiko).

The Mayor of Symi, Mr Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, gave his most heartfelt thanks for the valuable medical care provided by the HYGEIA Group volunteers, who worked fervently, selflessly and with altruism. He further added, “The Mayor and all the Municipal Council of our island applaud and approve initiatives such as the ones undertaken by HYGEIA Group. The response of the residents of our island was huge, proving the extent of the problems we are facing due to the shortage of doctors. The organization was impeccable, and we must thank the organizers and the medical staff for their excellent coordination. We must also thank the CEO of HYGEIA Group, Mr Andreas Kartapanis, whom we will be naming honorary citizen of Symi in a special ceremony that will take place on our island as soon as the Municipal Council sets the date. We are hoping to get the chance again to have doctors of all medical specialties visit our island and provide their services for the benefit of our fellow citizens.”

Commenting on the initiative, the HYGEIA Group CEO, Mr Andreas Kartapanis, noted, “We are extremely proud that we can make a contribution in parts of our country that do not have easy access to healthcare services. Despite the fact that Symi is a beautiful island and a popular tourist destination, it faces a shortage of doctors. We realized this when we were seeing the people, as we examined about 25% of the island’s population. We will continue to contribute in the immediate future, with the selfless help of all the people working for HYGEIA Group. Once again I would like to thank all the doctors, and the Hospital’s technical, administrative and nursing staff, who worked hard, eagerly and with enthusiasm to see this effort through in the best possible way. Lastly, I would like to add that in every one of our campaigns, when the people who visit us have problems that require hospital care and treatment, we invite them, provided they are willing to do so, to come to HYGEIA and get treated free of charge, taking care of all hospital bills and doctor’s fees.”