World Health Organization Country Office in Greece

Vaccination, screening and high-quality treatment can eliminate cervical cancer and save lives! Today, the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens had the opportunity to participate in the launch of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign for Migrant Women and Girls, organized by IOM - UN Migration in Greece under the Ippokratis I project. It was a significant moment to highlight the crucial role of cancer prevention and early detection policies in protecting the health of women and girls. The WHO European Region is getting closer to a future in which women do not die of cervical cancer. With greater efforts to increase vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer screening and treatment, that future could arrive much sooner, saving the lives of many more young women in the coming years. At WHO, we remain committed to supporting Greece and our partners in ensuring that all women and girls—including migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers—have access to the healthcare they deserve: equitable, timely, and high-quality. It was inspiring to engage in discussions alongside colleagues from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Greece, IOM, MSF Greece - Médecins Sans Frontières Greece, and Médecins du Monde Greece - Γιατροί του Κόσμου Ελλάδας, reinforcing our collective efforts to improve healthcare access. 💡 Collaboration is key in addressing these challenges. Together, we can fight for the health and well-being of every woman and girl. WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA

We're seeing our highest number of measles cases in 25 years. 127,350 measles cases were reported in the WHO European Region for 2024—nearly double the number reported in 2023. And more than half of the cases reported required hospitalization. Read the media release: https://bit.ly/3DFFK3w "Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call," says Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. "Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security. As we shape our new regional health strategy for Europe and Central Asia, we cannot afford to lose ground. Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities...The measles virus never rests—and neither can we." Measles cases in the Region had been in decline since 1997, when some 216,000 were reported, reaching a low of 4,440 cases in 2016. However, a resurgence was seen in 2018 and 2019 with 89,000 and 106,000 cases reported. Following a backsliding in immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases rose significantly again in 2023 and 2024. Vaccination rates in many countries are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of outbreaks. UNICEF and WHO are working together with governments, and with support from partners including the European Union and the GAVI Alliance, to prevent and respond to measles outbreaks. We engage with communities, train health care workers and strengthen immunization programmes. Measles is a preventable disease. Let's work together to ensure nobody in our Region has to suffer from it. #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA

Strengthening Health Management Capacity in Greece The WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens, through the HEALTH-IQ project, has launched the "Training of Trainers on Health Management and Leadership". This three-day session, hosted in collaboration with the Greek Agency for Quality Assurance in Health S.A. (AQAH S.A.) and the NOVA National School of Public Health, marks the beginning of a transformative journey aimed at enhancing healthcare management skills. 🎓 Between 10-13 March, future trainers from the seven Health Regions in Greece, academic institutions, and members of AQAH S.A. have gathered to learn from experts on leadership and change management in healthcare. The first of the four training sessions focused on the essential role of leadership in driving transformative change within healthcare systems. Participants explored strategies for guiding teams through transitions, addressing resistance, and fostering a culture of innovation. Through interactive case studies, they collaboratively analyzed real-world scenarios, enhancing their practical skills in change management and team inspiration within dynamic healthcare settings. 💡 As we continue our efforts, we are confident that this initiative will foster impactful and sustainable improvements in healthcare quality and management across Greece. 🤝 #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA Mafaten Chaouali Joana Seringa Alexandre Lourenço Lenio Capsaskis Christos Triantafyllou Anastasia Papachristou Anastasia Ntikoudi ΟΔΙΠΥ (ODIPY) Οργανισμός Διασφάλισης της Ποιότητας στην Υγεία Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

💬 "We need to measure quality and define quality as the outcomes that matter to patients. That is good quality. So, a course is necessary because we are in the process of redefining what healthcare quality means", noted Stefan Larsson, Chairman and Co-founder, International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement. Building on the success of the first-ever WHO/Europe Autumn School on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in 2023, the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens hosted the second edition to further develop knowledge and expertise in this field. 💡 Co-organized with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Education, Research, and Evaluation of Safety and Quality in Healthcare at the NOVA National School of Public Health (Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa), the second course was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 7 to 11 October 2024. The course provided participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the complex dimensions and best practices in the field of quality of care and patient safety through engaging panel discussions, interactive lectures and collaborative workshops. Throughout the week, WHO representatives, key health decision-makers, and global experts came together to share their experience in policy development for quality improvement and patient safety through collaborative small-group exercises. 🤝 A huge thank you to everyone who participated, as well as to our interviewees, for making this course such a great success! #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa Válter R Fonseca Christos Triantafyllou Lenio Capsaskis Ândrea Figueiredo Paulo Sousa Blerta Maliqi Pedro Delgado Dimitra Panteli Irina Papieva Stefan Larsson Dragana Mijović Florin-Valentin Ciocan MARIA PETRODASKALAKI

Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Greece and worldwide. A comprehensive, coordinated approach is essential to enhance prevention, early detection, high-quality treatment, and palliative care. At The Economist 5th Annual Greece Cancer Summit, the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens contributed to discussions on the importance of a National Cancer Plan - an evidence-based strategy to improve cancer care and address existing gaps. What we focused on: ✅ Strengthening prevention efforts: Reducing exposure to key risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy diets through policies, taxation, and public health initiatives. 📊 Expanding screening and early detection: Implementing high-quality, population-based screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer to enable timely diagnosis and treatment. 🏥 Ensuring high-quality cancer care: Promoting safe, evidence-based treatments, equitable access to services, and integration of palliative care to improve patient outcomes. 🧠 Comprehensive patient support: Addressing mental health, psychosocial needs, and overall well-being as part of holistic cancer care. 🤝 Enhancing collaboration and data systems: Strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, improving data collection, and ensuring quality assurance to reduce inequalities and guide policy decisions. Strengthening cancer prevention and treatment in Greece is critical to ensuring quality of care and patient safety for all. WHO/Europe remains committed to supporting national efforts to improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families. 💙 #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA

“I believe you. I wish all medical people knew how powerful these words are.”    Investing in health workers‘ ability to tackle violence against women and girls, is crucial.     Why?  To save lives. To ensure fair, respectful treatment. To advance gender equality.  #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice #InternationalWomensDay WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA

💡 Empowering early career researchers through the Young Researchers Forum Last week, the WHO Young Researchers Forum (YRF) hosted an insightful webinar on "Career Development & Overcoming Challenges," organized by the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens. The session provided early career researchers with practical advice and inspiration, focusing on navigating challenges, building a fulfilling career, and contributing meaningfully to child and adolescent mental health research. Key takeaways included: 🔹 Practical strategies for building a successful career in mental health research 🔹 Insights on overcoming challenges as an early career researcher 🔹 Perspectives on different career paths into global mental health and quality of care If you are not yet a member of the YRF and would like to join, you can register here: https://bit.ly/registerYRF #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice #QoC #CAH #MH WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA Dr Jennifer Hall Dr Anastasia Giannaki Penny Kalpaxi Lars Dumke Tatiana Taylor Salisbury Anastasia (Nansia) Gatopoulou

💡 How can we make sure that the WHO Quality Standards for Child and Youth Mental Health are used effectively by countries? WHO is co-developing implementation resources and tools in four pilot sites, with support from the Baker Institute in Australia to ensure they are grounded in evidence and implementation science. 🔬📖 Through interviews across these sites, we’ve identified key challenges and opportunities which shaped the pilot implementation plan—officially launched last week. We are very excited for this great piece of work going forward, led by our hub on quality of child and adolescent mental health care under the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety and Mental Health Flagship. 💙 Find out more about the quality standards: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dRabQUGD #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice #MentalHealth WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA Ledia Lazëri Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Dr Jennifer Hall Penny Kalpaxi Dr Anastasia Giannaki Anastasia (Nansia) Gatopoulou Raffaella Sibilio Theodoros Filippou Lars Dumke

Childhood #obesity remains a major challenge in the WHO European Region, fuelling the ongoing obesity epidemic that claims 1.2 million lives annually due to such noncommunicable diseases (#NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases and #diabetes. 🟡 In several WHO European Region countries, more than 40% of primary school-aged children live with overweight or obesity. 🟡 In some countries, almost 1 in 5 children are living with obesity. 🟡 Most countries haven’t reduced obesity rates—increases are more common than decreases. 📊 On #WorldObesityDay, let's push for stronger policies to protect children’s health. See latest WHO/Europe data here👇 https://lnkd.in/daVwAGYi #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA

In various parts of the WHO European Region and beyond, diets and food systems face big challenges in terms of their contribution to health and sustainability. Unhealthy diets are a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – from diabetes to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. As economic disparities persist, climate change consequences intensify and global health challenges increase, the need to build resilient food systems and ensure sustainable access to nutritious food has never been more urgent. These pressing issues were at the center of the discussions at the National Info Day on Sustainable Food Aid Programmes, an event organized by the Prolepsis Institute as part of the EU-funded SUSTAID project: Environmentally Sustainable Food Aid Programs in Europe. The WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient in Athens had the opportunity to join the conference where experts came together to discuss the future of food aid—ensuring it is sustainable, nutritious, and safe for all. 🌍🌱   It was a great chance to explore: 📊 Insights from the SUSTAID project on new evidence and training initiatives. 🥗The role of the Mediterranean diet in promoting health and sustainability. ♻️Strategies to reduce food waste through legislative frameworks and voluntary partnerships. ✅The impact of food insecurity on vulnerable populations and practical solutions to improve access to nutrition. 👥Public perceptions of food security in Greece. 🌾The "DIATROFI" program, a longstanding initiative promoting sustainable food aid practices. By working together, we can contribute to building resilient and sustainable food systems that improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. 💙 #WHOGreece #AthensQoCOffice WHO Regional Office for Europe JOAO BREDA Prolepsis Institute