Prevention has been "the poor relative of the view we have of a health system," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday, speaking at a Ministry of Health event on the National Screening Program 'Prolamvano' (I prevent), held at the Elise and Basil Goulandris Foundation.
"Today I am particularly happy and moved that a dream I had for many years is becoming a reality," Mitsotakis said, underlining the importance of preventative screening. "There is no doubt that prevention saves lives in a large swathe of illnesses," he added, particularly in breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The fear that citizens feel in going for screening is understandable, he said, but he cited as example the 'Fofi Gennimata' screening for breast cancer named after the late PASOK leader. Under this program, over 20,000 women were diagnosed with cancer at an early stage, Mitsotakis said, appealing to women who had not taken advantage of it yet to be screened..
The PM underlined the five habits that are critical to longevity and qualit of life - exercising, smoking, drinking, eating healthy foods, and being overweight. Someone who does not fulfil these properly will live 15 fewer years that someone who does.
He also referred to the use of technology and its use by 'myhealthapp', which he said would assist greatly in prevention and therapy. "The revolution of artificial intelligence opens entirely new fields for us in how we can manage health issues or prevent illnesses," the PM said, underlining the importance of European Recovery Fund resources in the prevention program. "If it weren't for the Recovery Fund, it would be difficult for us. We will have European elections in a few weeks and it is helpful to remember that Europe, in its way, affects the lives of all of us. Europe is present in our daily lives through such funding tools, and I believe Greece is at the forefront in Europe and many programs will become models for other countries too," he asserted.
"When you get the next sms (text message), do not ignore it," he urged the public, "it's a choice that can save lives."