The expansion of the NHS preventive interventions with new free adult obesity programs, childhood obesity and kidney dysfunction has been announced by Deputy Minister of Health, Irene Agapidakis, on ERT.

‘By him September will be available Free innovative medication for obesityfor people with a body mass index over 40, “the minister said.

However, he clarified that it would precede Mandatory evaluation by a physician, endocrinologist or general doctorwhile the pharmaceutical intervention will be compulsorily accompanied by nutritional monitoring and exercise.

Read: Obesity program: Who will be free of free medicines – criteria

According to the minister, the aim is to universal access to the citizens, even in the most remote areas of the country.

At the same time, it announced the creation of a new digital application to promote exercise and change health behaviors, both for children and adults, in the context of activities for childhood obesity.

“It will have videos with exercise programs for the whole family and it will be free,” he said.

“Prevent” program: 3.6 million citizens have been doing exams

Referring to the “Prevent” program, the minister said that 3.6 million people have already done exams, noting that: “For the first time a prevention culture is being built in Greece. We go when we feel good – not when we feel symptom. Prevention is the gift we should not neglect. “

He reiterated that all preventive exams are free, easy and accessible through https://preventive.gov.gr, and reminded that access was only with AMKA.

“The system shows what exams each citizen is entitled to. Diagnostic centers see it and guide you. You expect nothing – everything is done automatically, “he said, noting that after the first examination, the system automatically issues the next referral, without any action by the citizen.

He made a special reference to the specific blood test for the prevention of kidney dysfunction, which will be added to the program for people with diabetes mellitus or increased cardiovascular risk, as “early kidney damage does not give symptoms and can be prevented if it is found in time”.

To a viewers’ question about Inability to prescribe cancer markers by personal doctorHe replied: “These indicators are not about prevention, but monitoring the course of patients with a diagnosis of cancer. They are clawback exams and can only be prescribed by oncologists. “

Regarding the lack of contracting diagnostics in Kosattributed the situation to a coordinated withdrawal of private laboratories from EOPYY in order to push for better contracts. “We have strengthened the hospital and will have mobile health units to meet the needs of the residents,” he said.