Intervention – Greece, Secretary General of Public Health Mr. Ioannis Baskozos - 1st WHO Ministerial Conference on Global Action against Dementia

Intervention – Greece, Secretary General of Public Health Mr. Ioannis Baskozos - 1st WHO Ministerial Conference on Global Action against Dementia

17/3/2015

INTERVENTION, Session 1: “Improving Dementia Awareness”.

Dear Mr Chair, Ministers, Colleagues and friends,

Dementia is a condition which obviously affects the person but at the same time has a strong impact on his or her family as a whole. 

A syndrome without identified cause and treatment is always a challenge for science, and its consequences constitute challenge for the entire society and the health system.

The fact that this condition’s course varies from person to person and depends on the patient’s previous lifestyle, demands further research on the issue, through, among others the evaluation of lifestyle in modern societies.

Prevention, early diagnosis and intervention in social and harmful environmental factors and medication, on specific conditions, may save significant funds for the health care system.

The state should guarantee the universal and equal access to the fundamental social right of Health, by promoting the independence of the individual, ensuring human dignity, creating the necessary security conditions and developing effective communication strategies.  Those should be top priorities of every lawful society.

Greece is particularly interested in the establishment of a new integrated public primary health care system with universal coverage emphasizing on prevention and health education and contribute the most towards this direction.

Thank you