Friday, 29 March 2024
Athens
28
03
2024
The phenomenon is expected to persist on Thursday. The quantities of Saharan dust will be biggest in western and southern parts of the country. The dust cloud has significantly reduced visibility in large parts of the country, including the capital Athens. The southern island of Crete was particularly hard hit, with western areas reporting airborne dust levels exceeding 50 µg/m³. Local health authorities have advised individuals with respiratory issues, young children, and the elderly to limit outdoor activities. Meteorologists forecast that conditions will begin to improve from Friday onwards.
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Athens
02
02
2024
This happened n accordance with the JHellenic oint Ministerlial Decision signed by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Thanos Petralias and Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistokleous. The measure aims to reduce the waiting times of patients on the waiting list for operations in state hospitals.
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Athens
15
01
2024
Historically, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and often referred to shorthand as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Born in 1929, King's actual birthday is January 15th (which in 1929 fell on a Tuesday). The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15th and the latest is January 21st. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed 3 years later on January 20th, 1986. At first, some States resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 States for the first time in 2000. Annually, this day commemorates the life and work of Dr. King, who was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the rights and dignity of all people, and his legacy inspires us to continue working towards a more just and equitable world.  
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Athens
10
01
2024
According to the announcement, "Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Alternate Health Minister Irini Agapidaki, the president of the National Public Health Organisation and professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology Christos Hatzichristodoulou and Professor of Pulmonology and Critical Care at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens will give a press conference on Wednesday at 11:30 at the Health Ministry on the course of COVID-19 in Greece". Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, addressing on Tuesday the scheduled meeting of the National Vaccination Committee, said that the increase of vaccinations, especially for the vulnerable groups, is a top priority for the government.  The committee recommends the vacinnation with the updated vaccine for COVID 19 and with the vaccine for influenza to all individuals over 60 and to the vulnerable groups.
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Athens
30
12
2023
Between December 18 and 24, there was an increased spread of the SARS-CoV2 virus in the community, with hospital admissions increasing by 37%, a rise that was higher than the number of admissions in the same week of 2022. There were also 62 deaths (with a median age of 83) from Covid-19 and 54 people were intubated in hospital. There was an increase in flu infections, with three serious cases recorded, and RSV. Due to the increased presence of coronavirus, EODY recommends that the public take extra precautions. It says all people over 60 and everyone with underlying health issues should be vaccinated with the latest, updated vaccines; face masks should be used in all hospitals, clinics, health centers, as well as any indoor spaces hosting-accommodating elderly people; and that everyone should be more careful with personal hygiene measures, including regularly washing one’s hands and airing indoor spaces.
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Athens
25
10
2023
He said that it is a programme with very important results, "as more than 300 thousand women have made use of this service, the free MRI mammography that we provide to women, and we have already identified more than 15 thousand cases of breast cancer, at an early stage, therefore with a very good diagnosis in terms of their treatment." Women who are dealing with breast cancer intervened in the discussion and testified about their experiences, while Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki also made a statement. It should be noted that the "Fofi Gennimata" programme is currently addressed to 1.3 million women aged 50-69 and provides a free digital mammogram, a free examination by a specialist and a free ultrasound. The Committee of Public Health Experts (PHC) examined the revision of the age limits in accordance with the new European guidelines and in the near future an sms will also be sent to the new beneficiaries, in the 45 to 74-year-old group.
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Athens
06
10
2023
Signing on behalf of Greece in the Spanish city was Deputy Social Cohesion and Family Minister Maria-Alexandra Kefala. The event took place in the framework of Spain's presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it was signed by 14 EU member States. Greece's commitment in terms of the declaration "relates in essence to safeguarding the irrevocable right to health of women and girls (...), so that they maybe able to take themselves properly informed and responsible decisions for their life and their body," Kefala said. Neglecting the right to reproductive and sexual health "comprises an undermining of equality and the opportunity of an equal access to health, which is a fundamental human right," she added. The declaration calls on all EU member states to provide universal access to scientifically sound facts and traing on sexual education; access to comprehensive, quality, and affordable services, especially to teenagers; and access for all people of reproductive age to fertility therapies, without discrimination.
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Athens
29
09
2023
The Hellenic Cardiology Society has launched a campaign to increase the number of people who know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). “We believe that with the widespread and immediate implementation of CPR, including the use of portable defibrillators, the survival rate could at least double,” the society’s president, George Kochiadakis, told Kathimerini ahead of World Heart Day on Friday, stressing the importance of a swift response in preventing sudden cardiac death.       In order to increase this rate, the society has organized CPR tutorials at schools, malls, metro stations and other places where large numbers of people can be taught how to help.    World Heart Federation: "Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. Combined, conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million every year. The majority of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries. We want to bring this number down – way down. And there’s hope: 80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable. By making small changes to our lifestyle – what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress – we can better manage our heart health and beat CVD. Spanning six continents, our hundreds of World Heart Federation (WHF) member organizations, the countless schools, universities, sports clubs and the vibrant cardiology community make World Heart Day (WHD) a truly global celebration. Every year these groups and individuals bring their local flair, favor and colors to festivities, marking the day by sharing heart healthy regional specialties, leading a dance to get the whole community moving, and sharing life-saving lessons far and wide." Celebrate World Heart Day 2023 Access resources, create your own poster, take part in the World Heart Day Challenge, submit a landmark photo. There are many ways you can celebrate. https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/get-involved/    
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Brussels
23
04
2023
The European Court of Auditors warned of an “accountability gap in protecting the European Union’s financial interests” as the 27 member States use 724 billion Euros ($763 billion) to reinvigorate their economies, which took the biggest hit since World War II during the coronavirus crisis. “With such large amounts at stake, it’s imperative that EU taxpayers’ money is adequately protected,” ECA President Tony Murphy said. Member states have to set up strict plans on how to use the funds and target future-oriented sectors promoting the green and digital transition of their economies, amongst others. The ECA however laid bare how such targets and milestones of the program should be better checked by the EU’s executive Commission, especially once they are rolled out. So far about 20% of the grants and loan program have been paid out. Sometimes, it said, the Commission has no way of fully checking whether the information from the member states on how they spend the money is accurate and does not allow for abuse. “There is a gap in terms of the assurance the Commission can provide for the EU’s main pandemic recovery fund and a lack of accountability at EU level,” Murphy said. “This represents a serious risk to EU financial interests.” “Citizens will only trust new ways of EU funding if they can be sure that their money is being spent properly,” he added. And it is not only citizens – often the trust of member states on how others spend joint funds only goes that far too. The massive fund to confront the EU’s biggest recession in its history is partly based on common borrowing and is to be used as loans and grants primarily by the countries hit hardest by the crisis. EU member states taking up loans together, sharing debt and spending it in a spirit of solidarity was long unthinkable within the EU. That is an another reason why the ECA wants to counter any inappropriate spending, since, it said in a statement, it “is widespread in other EU spending programs.” The auditors acknowledged that EU authorities acted fast in setting up such a vast system at short notice, especially considering the need to turn the economic fortunes of many member states around. All too often, the bloc has been accused of being far too slow to react to pressing events and getting lost in intricate rule-making while a crisis was raging at the same time. This time, even if acting “in a relatively short period of time,” as the auditors noted, the Commission is left wanting to be able to verify whether everything will be well spent and has to rely too much on national checks. “The Commission has little verified information through its own work as to whether and how these national checks are carried out. Without assurance that these rules are complied with, there is a lack of accountability at EU level,” the ECA report said. The Covid-19 program runs through 2026 and any remarks in the report can still be taken on board to improve assessment. [AP]
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Athens
28
03
2023
The new Government's Gazette does not include the mandatory use of face masks in the mass means of transport as it was announced on March 14 by the Health Ministry at the experts committee recommendation. This means that from today the mandatory use of face mask is abolished in the mass means of transport but the measure will continue to be in effect in health structures and closed social care structures. Particularly in hospitals, clinics, and rehab and medical centres the measure will continue to be applied. 
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Athens
15
03
2023
Minister Thanos Plevris said he proposed the lifting of measures at the ministry's coronavirus experts committee that convened earlier in the day, and the committee agreed. The formal end of the coronavirus measures for the general public will be announced shortly. More specifically, Mr. Plevris , regarding yesterday's meeting of the Committee of Experts, stated: "At today's meeting of the Committee of Experts, the Ministry of Health proposed the lifting of the measures in force against Covid-19 with the exception of public and private health structures and Elderly Care Units. The proposal was accepted by the Commission and the lifting of the measures is expected. However, there remains the need to protect vulnerable groups against Covid-19 and for this reason it is recommended to observe personal protection measures, up-to-date vaccination and receive antiviral treatment for those who are ill." The Covid-19 virus appeared in Greece in February 2020, and measures that were introduced in Greece shortly after were updated on a periodic base thereafter.
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Athens
16
02
2023
Consumers are advised not to use the product if it comes into their possession and should immediately inform EOF. “We point out that the purchase of EOF products from unreliable sources, such as the internet, can endanger the health of the consumer,” the announcement stressed. The entire EOF announcement on the heroin-containing supplement: "The EOF warns that the product KSM-66 Ashwagandha of the Medicine Garden company, which is sold in Europe (therefore it is possible to trade it in Greece as well) and via the Internet, as a food supplement, contains an opioid narcotic substance and specifically heroin of an unknown concentration. The attention of consumers is drawn, so that in case the products come into their possession, they should not use them and inform the EOF immediately. The attention of consumers is drawn, so that in case the products come into their possession, they should not use them and inform the EOF immediately. We point out that the purchase of EOF products from unreliable sources, such as the internet, can endanger the health of the consumer. The above notification is made after informing the competent Danish authorities through the Early Warning System for Food and Feed (RASFF)."
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