The Deputy Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki, was hosted today, Monday, May 11, 2026, on the show “Newsroom” by George Siadima on ERTNEWS, where she spoke about the issue of chantavirus, the importance of prevention and the free medical examinations of the National Program “PROLAMVANO”, as well as the activities of the Mobile Health Teams.

“The operation set up in the previous days was crowned with complete success. I want to thank the Ministry of National Defence and the Air Force, who responded immediately. A special flight of a military aircraft was flown by members of the ambulance service, which I also want to thank, as well as the president of the EODY. They picked up the Greek national from the Netherlands and he was taken directly to a negative pressure chamber at Attikon as a precautionary measure,” he said initially.

“The man is asymptomatic, but because all the contacts that were on board are considered high-risk contacts – in the sense that one might show symptoms – to be 100 per cent sure, he is in a negative pressure chamber. He is in good health and this morning I spoke to Professor Tsiodra, who is monitoring him. He is fine and will remain there for 45 days, as per protocol,” he said of the Greek cruise ship passenger being treated.

“Our country has taken the highest protection measures, precisely to make absolutely sure that even if he does show symptoms in the coming weeks – which is considered a low probability – he will be safe, both for himself and the people he comes into contact with.”

“Andean hantavirus – that’s the specific strain – is the only strain of hantavirus that is transmissible from person to person, but only under very specific conditions. There must be prolonged and very close contact with a sick person in order for transmission to occur. It has nothing to do with the ease of transmission that coronavirus had. So, know that we are vigilant, we have taken our measures and there is no cause for concern.”

“We should not panic. What is important for people to know is that those who are involved in agricultural work or come into contact with rodents should take precautionary measures: clean the premises properly, wash their hands, wear gloves and a mask when necessary and avoid contact with rodent droppings.”

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On screening and the National “PRELAMBANO” programme:

“Prevention is a silent revolution in our country because it transforms the Ministry of Health from a “Ministry of Disease” to a “Ministry of Care”. For years we were only concerned with how to treat a disease in time. This is the first time we are really trying to prevent disease.”

“For us it is very exciting that this effort has been embraced by the citizens. Over 6 million citizens have had free screenings, whether they are insured or uninsured. This is a huge number – more than half of Greece.”

“The programme continues and those who have received a message can still take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Let’s say that about 200,000 people have been identified in time with findings. This means that all of these people will have a much better health outcome than if they had expected to show symptoms.”

“For example, breast cancer, when detected early, is curable at a rate of more than 95%. That is the value of prevention. You don’t just gain years of life; you gain quality of life.”

“We are also launching a programme for early detection of hypertension. We estimate that there are over 500,000 people in our country who have hypertension and don’t know it. There will be announcements in this regard in the near future. As well as early detection programmes for lung and skin cancer.”

About the Mobile Health Teams:

“The demography has changed and the National Health System needs to be adapted to the needs of the society. We know that there are many elderly and disabled people living alone, either in villages or in cities. We can no longer wait for them to come to us. We go with the doctor to their homes, free of charge and without any charge.”

“We take care of their health with clinical and laboratory tests. All they have to do is call 1135, either themselves or someone close to them, if they have difficulty getting around.”

“1135 is valid throughout Greece. Both the call and the service are free. Even in the centre of Athens there are many people who are alone, elderly, without a supportive environment.”

“Let us be clear that home visits are for people with disabilities or elderly people with mobility difficulties. For the other cases, on the islands and in mountainous areas, we go with Mobile Health Teams and mobile clinics in the community.”

“This has tremendous value: people don’t have to travel to receive preventive services, vaccinations, check-ups and whatever else they need. We already have 180 medical clinics and more than 1,000 health professionals across the country, and 1135 are for seniors and people with disabilities.”