To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of the MMUs at the initiative of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in collaboration with the nonprofit Regeneration and Progress, the MMUs hosted a three-day event on the island of Amorgos from January 26 to 29. The event offered the MMUs’ usual free diagnostic examinations and screenings including mammograms, cardiograms, and bone density measurements, as well as surgical, ophthalmological, and dental examinations. More than 210 people joined concurrent activities like lectures on public health issues, workshops for parents on sex ed, and informational sessions for high school students, as well as traditional dances, a mini basketball tournament, yoga and first aid lessons, hiking, and much more.
The MMU program, which was created with a mission of providing equal and free access to primary health care services for all residents of remote areas in Greece, is implemented in collaboration with Health Units S.A. under the scientific supervision of the First Orthopedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis addressed the event through a video message.
SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos joined via livestream on the first day of the anniversary event, saying, “I am extremely proud of the MMUs, a project that kicked off 10 years ago with a strong vision and has been sustained primarily through the hard work of its volunteers. As you know, the Foundation has recently been focusing its attention on our Global Health Initiative (GHI) but, for us, the MMUs will always be one of the most important projects of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). We could even say that the MMUs were a preamble to the GHI. I believe that access and quality both in health and in education should be a given for all and that is why, as a Foundation, we try to contribute where we can, always complementing and never replacing the state. We believe that such projects should be highlighted, and I urge every government to ensure that the MMUs become a key element of Greece’s National Health Service. We wish to extend our warmest thanks to Takis Koulouvaris, Nikos Skarmeas, Pantelis Vasileiou, and, of course, once again to all the volunteers who have worked hard at one of our most important initiatives, all these years. Congratulations, and happy anniversary!”
Regeneration and Progress President Dr. Panagiotis Koulouvaris said,"I am deeply touched that, after many discussions with Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos about the vision and the idea of reinforcing the National Health System (NHS) and offering equal access to the inhabitants of remote island and mountainous areas, we not only managed to make it a reality, but have kept it going for 10 uninterrupted years. I hope we are healthy and strong to continue this great effort in the years to come, incorporating younger colleagues, volunteers with the same tenacity and zeal into the team! A big thank you to everyone for their enthusiasm all these years, and a big thank you to the SNF for their trust!"
The event was attended by Amorgos Mayor Eleftherios Karaiskos, Dean of the NKUA School of Health Sciences Emmamouil Pikoulis, NKUA Professor Emeritus of Orthopedics Panagiotis Soukakos, Health Units S.A. President Kyrillos Papakyrillou, and a multitude of other friends and colleagues.
Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistocleous, Head of the 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly & Central Greece Fotis Seretis, NKUA Professor Emeritus of Pulmonology and Intensive Care Medicine Charalambos Roussos, and Attikon General University Hospital Administrator Spyridon Apostolopoulos all joined the event via livestream.
