Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-26

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras to chair Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence

[02] President Pavlopoulos to visit Strasbourg

[03] Significant prospects for medical tourism in Greece, Athens Medical Group's CEO says

[01] PM Tsipras to chair Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence

[02] President Pavlopoulos to visit Strasbourg

He will also address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Strasbourg Institute for Political Science.

[03] Significant prospects for medical tourism in Greece, Athens Medical Group's CEO says

"Greece has multiple competitive advantages, which, if properly promoted to the international public, will support the development of medical tourism," Apostolopoulos underlined.

"Greek physicians are highly qualified, with European and international studies at very good foreign universities as well as with significant international experience. It is not a coincidence that a number of surgeries have taken place in Greece for the first time in Europe or even worldwide. In addition, there are Greek healthcare providers with building and hospital facilities as well as with biomedical equipment that have nothing to envy from similar providers of well-known medical tourism destinations. At the same time, the quality of Greek providers is indisputable based on international certifications. Greece has a very strong brand name in the field of tourism, while at the same time we should not forget that it remains a very safe European destination, something that it is internationally appreciated," Apostolopoulos stated.

Apostolopoulos stressed that the extroversion of the Athens Medical Group, both by direct investment abroad - especially in Romania - and by investing and intensifying its efforts in the field of medical tourism, was also a key pillar of the group's strategy during the crisis. "In 2012 when the state set the foundations for the development of medical tourism in Greece, we actively participated in this effort," he noted.

It is estimated that in the coming years, 3-4 pct of the world's population will seek medical care abroad. From this enormous percentage, our country must benefit if it wants to change its image and introversion. Despite any external difficulties, the Athens Medical Group is content with the increasing flow of foreign patients requesting its services, he said adding that "we seek to significantly boost that sector in the coming years."

Medical tourism is a national effort and, although in this field we are pioneers, he said, we are constantly emphasizing the need to create a national brand, which today does not exist. This requests the cooperation of the state, the local government and the creation of synergies that can promote the country's infrastructure.

There are a lot of difficulties, he noted, such as the inflexibility of the state and the 24 pct VAT compared to zero VAT in competitive countries. "It is also important to understand that actions in this sector are of long-lasting success and performance, and unfortunately in Greece most of the people look for results in the short-term," he stressed.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article