Together, for better health

Corporate Responsibility
Social contribution
Together, for better health

Actively supporting the National Health System

Over the last 8 years we have been continuously supporting health centres across Greece through the “Together, for better health” corporate responsibility initiative.

Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of local communities in island areas. We donate medical equipment and supplies to health centres according to their recorded needs.

We strive to promote equal access to quality healthcare services as well as to reduce inequalities. Furthermore, we aim to improve the quality of the services provided by the medical and nursing staff, and the day-to-day operation of every health centre.

Our goals

Since 2014, we have been working with the Agoni Grammi Gonimi civil non-profit company to create the conditions for direct and unrestricted access to quality healthcare services for all, while improving the work conditions of the medical and nursing staff and facilitating the provision of services to island residents.

The main goals of Alpha Bank's “Together, for better health” initiative are:

Providing equal access to healthcare services.
Covering medical expenses.
Saving residents the hassle of having to travel for day-to-day medical procedures.
Responding on time in case of emergency or accident.
Enhancing the quality of life and sense of security of island residents and visitors.

What we have accomplished so far

The initiative was launched in 2014, with the donation of medical equipment and supplies to health centres in small and remote island areas (Tilos, Kasos, Leipsoi and Nisyros) that experience health inequalities more intently, due to distance and weather conditions.

By 2021 the initiative had gradually expanded its operations to all Greek islands, as equally pressing needs and shortages were identified on every island in the country.

In the context of this initiative, 242,504 medical devices have been donated to 74 health centres on 70 islands. A total of 833,357 residents and millions of tourists have participated in the initiative, gaining direct and unhindered access to medical services as well as services which, albeit necessary, cannot be taken for granted at the local health centres on each island.

By providing equipment to health centres we support adequate access of island residents and visitors to health services, while reducing the need for them to travel to bigger islands to be examined. Furthermore, in case of accident or emergency, the local health centre is suitably equipped to respond to a great extent to critical cases.

The first round of the “Together, for better health” initiative was concluded in 2021.

Together, for better health

Every island is unique! We equipped Greek islands with medical devices and supplies.

8 years
70 islands
833,357 residents
242,504 medical devices and supplies
> 1 million in donations

How we carry on

Standing by our strong commitment to provide active and long-term support to the National Health System, in 2022 we are moving on to the second round of the initiative, starting with Thessaly.

Our aim is to equip and shield health centres in mainland Greece, always with a view to supporting areas and health centres facing significant shortages due to geographical or other limitations.

Social impact

In 2021 HIGGS conducted a social impact study for the 8 years of the “Together, for better health” initiative. The aim was to assess the investment, the results vis-à-vis the goals set, as well as the impact of the project.

The study revealed the following results:

Patients received improved health services.
Residents felt increased safety at their place of residence and showed more trust in medical reports.
Travelling to bigger islands for day-to-day medical procedures was avoided.
Services were upgraded and the everyday life of the medical and nursing staff improved.
Municipalities were given the opportunity to launch development projects.

Specifically, social impact measurements based on a quality survey showed that:

68% of the medical/nursing staff evaluated the donation of medical equipment and supplies as very important for the operation of the health centre they work for.
88% of the medical/nursing staff stated that the medical equipment provided was necessary for the operation of the health centre.
84% of the medical/nursing staff stated that the provision of medical equipment and supplies facilitated their day-to-day work.
72% of the medical/nursing staff agreed that the medical equipment offered by Alpha Bank helped residents who otherwise would have had to travel to another health centre off the island to have specific medical procedures performed.
A 60% increase in the speed of diagnosis was recorded thanks to the medical equipment that was donated.
71% of users stated that they have more trust in the diagnosis they get from the health centre after the donation.
69% of users stated that, after the donation, they feel safer living in a remote area/island.
92% of local island officials who participated in the survey agree that the initiative had a positive impact on local communities.

Social Return on Investment (SROI)

According to the assessment of the initiative following the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology, every €1 invested in the initiative creates a social return of at least €9,62.

Given that €1,040,595 have already been invested in the initiative, the social value based on the SROI corresponds to €10,010,523.90.