Eirini Agapidaki: Telemedicine Significantly Strengthens Equal Access to Healthcare for All Citizens, Wherever They Live
The 1st Information Day for the National Telemedicine Network (EDIT) was successfully held on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, confirming the pivotal role that telemedicine is set to play in the digital transformation of Greece’s public healthcare system. The event attracted strong interest from the medical and scientific community, healthcare authorities, and technology partners involved in the implementation of the project.
Among the distinguished participants were Alternate Minister of Health Eirini Agapidaki, Secretary General for Public Health Christina Maria Kravvari, Stavros Asthenidis, Chief Executive Officer of Information Society S.A., and Stathis Kehriotis, Director of Public Sector, European Union and International Organizations Sales at OTE.
Throughout the conference, the profound social and operational value of the National Telemedicine Network was highlighted. EDIT is far more than a technological upgrade. It is a comprehensive, patient centred healthcare ecosystem designed to ensure equitable access to high quality healthcare services for every citizen, regardless of where they live, from the country’s most remote islands to its major urban centres.
Particular emphasis was placed on the Network’s ability to significantly reduce unnecessary patient travel, alleviate pressure on the National Health System, and strengthen Primary Health Care. At the same time, the project enhances the capabilities of physicians and nurses through advanced teleconsultation and distance learning services.
The conference also presented the history, mission and long term vision of EDIT, together with its technological innovations and implementation challenges. Speakers explored clinical experience from the field, European best practices, the evolving regulatory framework for telemedicine, and the future direction of digital healthcare in Greece.
Considerable attention was given to the nationwide expansion of the Network through the deployment of new Doctor to Patient and Doctor to Doctor Telemedicine Stations, home monitoring systems, training centres and operational support infrastructure. These new capabilities will significantly improve the delivery of timely and reliable healthcare services to remote and island communities.
The National Telemedicine Network is a modern, patient centred platform supporting the National Health System through teleconsultation, remote patient monitoring, telepsychiatry and continuous professional education for healthcare professionals, ultimately improving both the quality of care and equitable access to healthcare services across the country.
EDIT is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence. The project is being implemented by Information Society S.A., funded through the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), with OTE serving as the prime contractor.
Alternate Minister of Health Eirini Agapidaki stated:
“The National Telemedicine Network is a flagship project for the digital transformation of public healthcare and is already changing the way healthcare services are delivered in Greece.
Today, the Network includes 305 Doctor to Patient Telemedicine Stations and 35 Doctor to Doctor Telemedicine Stations, enabling immediate and equitable access to medical care even in the country’s most remote regions. At the same time, Mobile Health Units operated by the National Public Health Organization (EODY) and approximately 3,000 home healthcare monitoring systems are being deployed, bringing healthcare services closer to citizens than ever before.
A particularly important initiative is our collaboration with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for the establishment of a unified operational centre at Attikon University Hospital. This centre will integrate telemedicine, Mobile Health Units and field operations, significantly strengthening operational coordination and response capacity nationwide.
This new healthcare ecosystem, of which the National Telemedicine Network is a key component, substantially enhances equitable access to healthcare services for all citizens regardless of geographical location, relieves pressure on the National Health System and fundamentally transforms the model of healthcare delivery.
This is a major reform that is already delivering measurable results and laying the foundations for a more modern, more efficient and more patient centred healthcare system.”
Stavros Asthenidis, Chief Executive Officer of Information Society S.A., commented:
“At Information Society, we are extremely proud to deliver the National Telemedicine Network because it is far more than another digital infrastructure project. It represents a meaningful step towards a fairer, more accessible and more modern healthcare system for everyone. The Network has been designed and implemented according to the highest technical and operational standards, integrating advanced digital infrastructure, interoperability and robust data security. It is being delivered fully operational and ready to support both citizens and healthcare professionals throughout Greece.”
The strong participation and constructive dialogue throughout the conference reaffirmed both the momentum and strategic importance of the initiative. The National Telemedicine Network continues to demonstrate that technology can and should have a human dimension, serving as a cornerstone of a fair, modern and digitally enabled healthcare system for every citizen across Greece.
