It includes the following 14 rights: Right to preventive measures, access to care, information, consent , free choice, privacy and confidentiality, respect for patients' time, adherence to quality standards, safety, innovation, avoidance of unnecessary suffering and pain, individualized treatment, right to cancel, right to compensation. The doctors of the Therapeutic Clinic (Alexandra Hospital) of the EKPA School of Medicine Theodora Psaltopoulou (Pathologist, Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine), Yannis Danasis and Thanos Dimopoulos (former Chancellor of EKPA, Professor of Oncology - Hematology and Director of the Therapeutic Clinic) report that all this the rights, based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, are vital for European citizens and healthcare services. Most of these rights were also incorporated in the Council conclusions on common values and principles in the health systems of the European Union adopted in June 2006. Strengthening these rights will only become effective with the cooperation and commitment of all healthcare stakeholders in every European country. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness about the importance of patients' rights and everyone's responsibilities to ensure their respect, EKPA scientists report. The celebration of the European Patients' Rights Day on 18 April each year in all EU Member States will contribute significantly to achieving this goal, as a common opportunity to inform, discuss and make commitments to improve patients' rights in Europe and in each member state. For this reason, they add, the Active Citizens Network - together with citizens and patient organizations across Europe - took the initiative to organize a European conference to celebrate the European Patients' Rights Day for the last fifteen years. Now, the European Patients' Rights Day has become a regular annual event on the European and national political agenda to inform, debate and make commitments to improve patients' rights in Europe and in each Member State. Every year, also thanks to the network's more than a hundred patients' and citizens' associations, the European Patients' Rights Day is celebrated in hundreds of cities and in various ways across Europe, allowing civil society to fully enter policy-making processes and achieve important goals.

The journey by the 80-meter-long Jennifer to Gaza will take about three days. Citing sources, the CNA said the Jennifer will also tow the barge that the first ship, Open Arms, had transported to Gaza. The Open Arms, which had transported 200 tons of food around 2 weeks ago, will accompany the Jennifer along with another support vessel to transport equipment.  The missions are organized by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) NGO.  

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/    

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]

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.