Telemedicine: Larissa, the Region’s New Digital Heart of Healthcare
The 2nd Information Day for the National Telemedicine Network (EDIT) took place on Monday, 22 June 2026, focusing on the progress achieved and the future development of the project across Central and Western Greece, covering the 5th and 6th Regional Health Authorities.
The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, executives of the Regional Health Authorities, physicians already using the system in their daily clinical practice, members of the academic community, and representatives of patient organizations.
The National Telemedicine Network (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 the Information Society S.A., with funding from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
The conference was officially opened by Ms Christina Maria Kravvari, Secretary General for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, who holds institutional responsibility for the planning and oversight of public health policy at the national level. During her opening address, she stated:
“The National Telemedicine Network represents a major investment in strengthening Primary Health Care and improving citizens’ access to healthcare services. At the same time, it empowers healthcare professionals serving in regional and remote areas by enabling them to collaborate directly with specialized medical centres and provide more effective care for their patients.
The value of telemedicine is reflected in everyday life. It is reflected in the elderly person who no longer needs to undertake hours of travel, in the patient with a chronic disease who can be monitored more consistently, and in the healthcare professional who gains access to additional scientific support whenever needed. Telemedicine does not simply eliminate geographical distance. It transforms the patient’s experience by bringing healthcare closer to where it is needed. Ultimately, this is perhaps the most meaningful indicator of progress for a healthcare system that truly aims to serve every citizen, wherever they live.”
The opening session also featured Mr Vangelis Gorilas, Head of Public Sector at Vodafone Cosmos, the project’s prime contractor. The event was further honoured by the presence of Dr Fotis Seretis, Governor of the 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly and Central Greece, together with physicians from across the region.
Mr George Koukoulas, member of the EDIT Expert Committee, presented the history, mission and long term vision of the National Telemedicine Network, explaining how telemedicine serves as a bridge connecting citizens with the public healthcare system regardless of their geographical location.
Dr Fotis Seretis presented the development prospects of EDIT within the 5th Regional Health Authority, highlighting the Network’s role in reducing unnecessary patient transfers from mountainous and remote areas of Thessaly to major hospitals while strengthening primary healthcare services at the local level.
Project implementation was presented by Mr Kyriakos Kassis, IT Project Manager at Information Society S.A., who outlined the technical and organisational challenges involved in deploying the Network, together with the results already achieved in operational regions.
The perspective of physicians already integrating telemedicine into daily clinical practice was presented by Dr Ioannis Koutsonasios, General and Family Physician and Coordinating Director of Pyli Health Centre (5th RHA), and Dr Dimitra Gotzia, Rural Service Physician at the same Health Centre. They shared practical examples demonstrating how the telemedicine station supports diagnosis and patient follow up in areas with limited access to specialised medical care.
A high level panel discussion followed, featuring Ms Christina Maria Kravvari, Dr Georgios Dafoulas, Special Advisor for Digital Health at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dr Haris Karanikas, Associate Professor of Medical Informatics and eHealth Systems, Ms Angeliki Katsapi, International Healthcare Services Inspector, and Mr Nikolaos Lamprogeorgos, Senior Account Manager for the Public Sector at Cisco Hellas. The discussion addressed the operational requirements of the Network, the regulatory framework governing telemedicine, clinical protocols, European best practices, and quality standards for healthcare delivery.
A second panel focused on the regional perspective and included Mr Ioannis Tsougkos, President of the Faculty Association of the University of Thessaly and Professor of Medical Physics, together with Ms Ioanna Tsakmakidou, President of the Larissa Diabetes Association (SYL.LA.DI.). Ms Tsakmakidou presented the patient perspective, highlighting the daily monitoring needs of people living with diabetes and demonstrating how remote patient monitoring can significantly improve continuity of care while reducing the need for frequent travel to hospital facilities.
The future of telemedicine was presented by Mr Ioannis Drakopoulos and Mr Fotis Kouris of Dextera, who outlined forthcoming technological developments and the future direction of digital healthcare services.
The conference reaffirmed the strategic importance of the National Telemedicine Network (EDIT) for Thessaly and the wider regions of Central and Western Greece, demonstrating how digital technology is transforming healthcare delivery by improving equitable access to medical services for citizens living in geographically remote and underserved communities.
