Together, for better health

Equal access to healthcare services for a brighter future

With a strong sense of responsibility for the actual needs of society, we create the conditions for equal access to healthcare services for all. Through the “Together, for better health” programme, we provide medical and pharmaceutical supplies to health centres and care units in mainland Greece and the islands.

In partnership with the Agoni Grammi Gonimi civil non-profit company, our main goals are:

Reducing geographical, socio-economic and age inequalities.
Saving residents the hassle of having to travel for day-to-day medical procedures.
Responding on time in case of emergency or accident.
Improving the quality of life and enhancing the feeling of safety for the residents and visitors of regional Greece.

Moreover, we aim at improving the quality of work of the medical and nursing staff, and making the daily operation of the health centres more efficient. Since 2014, our employees have been participating in the programme as volunteers.

VIEW THE TIMELINE

What we have accomplished since 2014

With medical equipment and medication donations.

Turning our values into action

Ensuring the health and safety of local communities is our priority.

2024 – Epirus

In 2024 we supported medical centres and care units in the municipalities of Arta, Ioannina, Thesprotia and Prezeva, in the Region of Epirus.

For the first time ever, we extended the actions of the programme to include units for people with disabilities, by donating the necessary medical and pharmaceutical supplies. At the same time, we made donations to health centres, care units for the elderly and social pharmacies.

In addition, we organised 2 blood drives and bone marrow sample collections in Arta and Paramythia, along with the hospitals of Arta and Ioannina respectively.

2023 – Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

In 2023 we reinforced health centres and care units in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. At the same time, our employees collected medications for social pharmacies and health centres.

These actions are expanding our support to mainland Greece, which started in 2022.

2022 - Thessaly

In 2022 we launched the 2nd phase of the initiative for supporting the National Health System. Starting from the Region of Thessaly, we equip health centres in mainland Greece that are facing severe shortages due to geographical or other restrictions.

At the same time, we meet the needs of social pharmacies and care units for the elderly. Our aim is to make our initiative more inclusive, by expanding it to cover other vulnerable groups. Our volunteer employees actively participated in collecting medications, which we then donated to social pharmacies.

2014-2021 - Greek islands

In 2014 we launched the initiative to donate medical and pharmaceutical supplies to health centres located on small and remote islands. We focused on islands that experience health inequalities more intently, due to distance and weather conditions.

Gradually and up to 2021, we expanded our activities to the larger Greek islands, as we realised that they too are experiencing equally important needs and shortages.

Offering relief to affected areas

In 2023 we contributed to the relief efforts for those affected by the devastating floods in Thessaly in September, with our volunteers urgently expanding the collection of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

Creating value

The Social Return on Investment (SROI) method quantifies the value generated by the programme.

Measuring the social impact

Through special annual surveys.

Measurable success in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

In 2023

For the 3rd year running, the HIGGS institute carried out a social impact assessment survey for the “Together, for better health” programme in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, based on data from Alpha Bank. The survey methodology, as well as the surveys from previous years, were based on interviews and questionnaires sent to all stakeholders and the results do not represent all those benefited.

Immense satisfaction among healthcare professionals

According to the survey:

98.4% of employees at care units for the elderly agreed that the donation was useful in best serving the residents.
97% of the medical and nursing staff stated that the medical and pharmaceutical supplies donated were necessary for the health centres to run smoothly and useful for all those benefited.
91% of the medical and nursing staff said that the donation contributed to making their day-to-day work easier.

Improved quality of life for those benefited

The results among those who benefited and participated in the study were also remarkable, given that:

75.5% stated that the level of the healthcare services provided had improved.
77.2% said that they had greater trust in the medical opinions of the health centre staff.

Tangible results in Thessaly

In 2022

Once the programme was concluded in the Region of Thessaly, the HIGGS institute carried out the 2nd Social Impact Assessment Survey and forwarded the results to Alpha Bank.

Impact on facilities and healthcare staff

According to the survey:

100% of employees in social pharmacies and the social Emergency Response Centre (EKAV) said that key operational needs within their organisation were met.
93% of medical and nursing staff stated that the provision of healthcare services to residents was made easier.
87% of employees in care units for the elderly agreed that the donation was necessary for their unit to continue operating.

Satisfaction among those benefited

The answers by those benefited demonstrated immense satisfaction:

80% stated that the level of their personal health had improved.
89% said they did not have to travel far to receive healthcare services.
83% stated they felt safer about the services offered by their local health centre.

Documented contribution on the islands

In 2021

The HIGGS institute carried out the 1st Social Impact Assessment Survey for the “Together, for better health” programme on the islands.

Survey results

92% of the medical and nursing staff considered the donation of medical equipment and supplies very/rather important.
96% of those benefited stated that their trust in medical reports has increased after the donation.
69% of those benefited stated that they felt safer as residents of remote areas.
92% of local institutions felt that the initiative had a positive impact on local communities.

The survey also showed that the programme helped improve the healthcare services to residents and spared them the hassle of having to travel for everyday medical procedures. In addition, it improved the day-to-day lives of the staff and gave municipalities the opportunity to launch development projects.

Photo gallery

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Video gallery

Watch videos from the “Together, for better health” initiative.

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