Together, for better health

Promoting equal access to healthcare services

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, based on their registered needs.

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

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 remote areas.

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

What we have accomplished since 2014

With medical equipment donations.

Areas we have visited

93

Health centres and care units we have equipped through the programme

104

Medical devices and supplies offered so far

352459

Residents that have gained equal access to healthcare services

964437

Turning our values into action

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

2014-2021 - Greek islands

The initiative was launched in 2014 with the donation of medical equipment and supplies to health centres on small and remote 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.

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 employees actively participate in the programme, as they volunteer to collect medications, which we donate to social pharmacies.

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.

Enhancing the social impact

Through initiatives in remote and inaccessible areas of island and mainland Greece.

Documented contribution on the islands

In 2021 a survey to measure social impact, carried out by the HIGGS institute, highlighted the effects and impact of our initiative. According to the qualitative survey:

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

Improving and upgrading healthcare services

The HIGGS survey also highlighted that the programme:

Improved the health services patients receive.
Enhanced the feeling of safety and trust in medical reports.
Spared residents the hassle of having to travel for everyday medical procedures.
Upgraded the services and improved the daily life of staff.
Gave municipalities the opportunity to launch development projects.
Helped in better understanding the special needs of each island and launching new initiatives, aimed at the well-being of local communities.

The survey methodology was based on interviews and satisfaction questionnaires, sent to stakeholders. They do not represent all those benefited.

Tangible results in Thessaly

Once the programme was concluded in the Region of Thessaly, the HIGGS institute carried out a 2nd Social Impact Assessment Survey, using the same methodology. The results among participants in the 2nd survey were even more impressive:

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.

In addition, as to the respondents who used the programme services:

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.

Investments giving back to society

According to the assessment of the programme following the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology, every €1 invested in the initiative creates a social return of at least €10,65.

Based on the SROI, the generated social value of the programme from 2014 to 2023 exceeds €10,000,000.