The economic crisis in Greece and its consequences on the Greek health system was the main focus of the conference "Shaping a healthier Nation, Shaping a healthier Europe," organized by the Financial Times in Athens on March 27 as part of the Greek EU Presidency. During this high-level event, leaders debated the future of health care, the new role of its stakeholders, access to innovation, as well as the financing of health services, exchanging good practices and expanding their vision from the status quo to deliver high quality, full-access, affordable, sustainable health services.

According to the findings of the conference, the Greek crisis had direct and indirect effects to the health of the citizens of Greece, leading to greater inequalities and a dramatic reduction in the offering of health services, while also making access to the public health system more difficult.


Addressing the event, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis defended health reforms, which he described as unavoidable for a country willing to remain in the euro-zone and the European Union. He conceded that despite considerable progress in the public health system, there are still many things to be done.