The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in close cooperation with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the General Secretariat for the Reception of Asylum Applicants, has undertaken the overall management of the "Hippocrates I" project, which foresees the provision of primary medical care and psychosocial support to those residing in Reception and Identification Centers, Closed and Controlled Access Centers and Controlled Access Facilities for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers.   

With the aim to cover the medical and psychosocial needs of the people, ensuring the support of their physical and mental health while protecting public health, 286 health and psychosocial professionals have been hired to cover the needs of 31 reception facilities in the country. Of these, 57 are doctors, including general practitioners, pediatricians and gynecologists.  

Since the beginning of the project, a total of 26,565 asylum seekers visited medical and psychosocial staff located in the facilities and 2,988 psychosocial support sessions were held for people who expressed the need. During the same period, 2,204 gynecological examinations were recorded.  

"It is our duty to promote and ensure equal access to health structures and services. The responsibility of coordinating such an important intervention, like "Ippokratis I", is significant, and in cooperation with the Greek authorities and all actors involved, we are committed to ensure inclusive and essential care for the people who live in the country's reception facilities", said Sanja Celebic – Lukovac, Chief of IOM Mission in Greece.   

The medical and psychosocial teams operate on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, they ensure the referral of patients to secondary and tertiary health structures, whenever deemed necessary. To date, 6,895 patients thought to be more serious cases have been referred to public hospitals.  

To meet the needs of vulnerable groups, IOM in collaboration with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, has already undertaken the vaccination of children residing in reception centers, closed and controlled facilities, and accommodation centers across the country.   

According to the National Vaccination Program for Children and Adolescents, more than 900 children residing in reception centers, closed and controlled facilities and accommodation centers on the mainland and islands have been vaccinated, while 10,406  vulnerability assessments have been carried out.  

"The Ippokratis I project is an important initiative for the holistic support of asylum seekers in reception centers, closed facilities and accommodation centers of our country. Our goal at the Ministry of Migration and Asylum is to offer these people health services in accordance with fundamental human rights and to support and ensure their physical and mental health, contributing to the safety of society as a whole. The well-being of children is a priority, and their vaccination is perhaps the main tool for disease prevention and one of the most effective measures for public health. This is why we believe in the prospects of the programme", stated the Secretary General for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, Ms. Dimitra Lygoura.   

IOM also facilitated the smooth transition from the “PHILOS” health project to the “Ippokratis I” during July and August 2024 aiming to secure the continued provision of primary healthcare services and psychosocial support to migrants and asylum seekers, along with the supply of equipment, consumables, and over-the-counter medications, as previously provided by the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY).  

During this period, IOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, proceeded with the recruitment of scientific and administrative staff, according to the needs of each reception center, closed and controlled facility and accommodation center. As of September 1, 2024, a private partner, in collaboration with IOM and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, has assumed its implementation.  

A total of 286 staff members are currently in the field, while the recruitment process is still ongoing until all facilities across the country are adequately staffed.  

As part of the "Ippokratis I", psychosocial support teams have been established to work in collaboration with medical teams, forming an integrated Unit for Primary Healthcare and Psychosocial Support Services. These psychosocial support teams are already staffed with specialized personnel, including social workers and psychologists, providing individualized psychosocial care services.  

For facilities managed by the Reception and Identification Service, specialized registration teams are being set up to strengthen the reception and identification process for new arrivals with additional doctors, nurses, and psychosocial personnel.  

Aiming to provide comprehensive care to the population and to ensure the best and most effective delivery of medical and psychosocial services, the action foresees the use of medical infrastructure and equipment previously allocated to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum during past IOM initiatives such as mobile units, polyclinics, and biochemical laboratories.