A new model of community-level care in Greece is helping bridge long-standing gaps in healthcare access.
In Giannouli, near Larissa, a Local Health Unit (TOMY) is reshaping access to care for vulnerable residents. Patients like Vasiliki Moustaka, who lives with severe hypoglycemic episodes, rely on the unit for both medical and emotional support.
Staffed by doctors including Dr. Zoi Papanikolaou, TOMY eases pressure on hospitals by offering primary care, referrals and mental-health assistance.
Supported by €202.5 million from the European Social Fund+, Greece’s 127 TOMY units aim to reduce health inequalities, an effort experts say is essential for fair, universal healthcare across the EU. This effort complements the EU4Health Programme, the EU’s flagship health initiative for 2021–2027.
Health inequality remains a key concern across Europe, said Caroline Costongs, Director of EuroHealthNet. She quoted a European Commission report showing that access to healthcare coverage is as vital as other forms of social protection.