Greece, and specifically Athens, will be the seat of the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Quality of Health Care and Patient Safety. This was announced by the Minister of Health, Vassilis Kikilias, and the Regional Director of the WHO. for Europe, Hans Kluge, after their meeting in Copenhagen.
The choice of Greece is a recognition of the work of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Ministry of Health and the Greek Government in the management of the pandemic, in the implementation of Public Health policies, such as the successful implementation of the Anti-Smoking Law and the promotion of important reforms, such as for the establishment of the National Organization for Quality Assurance in Health (ODIPY).
During the visit, there was an extensive discussion with the executives of the World Health Organization and there was a commitment that the WHO. will be a helper and strong supporter of the promoted reforms in Primary Health Care.
The decision of the World Health Organization was based on a number of parameters, such as:
• The emergence of our country as a protagonist, as it has shown resilience to the current health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The significant knowledge and experience gained by Greece in the field of quality of patient care and safety, with the legislation and the establishment of the National Organization for Quality Assurance in Health (ODIPY). Practices that can be adapted to the needs of other countries in the European Region of the WHO.
• Successful management in the implementation of the Anti-Smoking Law, which improved the level of Public Health and Patient Safety.
• The special features of our country that can protect health and improve the quality of life, an element that has not been taken into account in the quality of care models. Greece with its record of longevity and the Mediterranean diet, for example, can be the perfect example of improving the quality of life in Europe.
• The experience of the Office of the Organization in Greece in the transformation of Health systems, which provides a strong base and an extensive network, on which future work will be based, even beyond the national level.
As characteristically mentioned in the joint statement issued after the meeting:
"Greece has recently led important developments in the field of health, such as legislation banning smoking in public places, the launch of the National Action Plan against Smoking and reforms in the field of primary health care.
All of the above, in combination with the excellence of the Greek Health Institutions and the leading researchers in the field of health and wellness, indicate a strong leadership within the European Region and beyond.
In addition, they create an ideal framework for the creation of a much-needed center of excellence in the field of quality healthcare and patient safety. "
The new Office of the WHO will serve the needs of European countries, with particular emphasis on providing technical assistance, support and leadership in the quality of healthcare and patient safety.
The goal of the WHO Regional Director for Europe and the Minister of Health is the opening of the Office in the coming months and for the next 5 years.