I deserve to know - Municipality of Athens

Project Duration JUN 2023 - NOV 2023
Location Athens

The project "I Deserve to Know – City of Athens" aimed to enhance equitable access to essential health services for all citizens, by offering free liver elastography tests to at least 1,080 individuals from socio-economically vulnerable groups in central Athens over a six-month period. Liver elastography is a crucial, non-invasive examination that can significantly aid in the prevention of serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer—conditions that more frequently affect vulnerable segments of the population.

This initiative sought to eliminate barriers to healthcare access, enable early diagnosis of liver diseases, and strengthen prevention efforts, thereby promoting health among socially burdened population groups. Simultaneously, it aimed to ensure that no one would be excluded from undergoing liver elastography due to their social or economic status (as this examination is not reimbursed by the public healthcare system).

From June 2023 to November 2023, a total of 1,296 liver elastography tests were performed. After each test, beneficiaries were offered a light snack (such as croissants or low-sugar wafers or crackers), natural juice, and water. Informational leaflets were also distributed, providing details about liver diseases, cirrhosis, the importance of prevention and early diagnosis, and the available public healthcare referral services.

Where necessary, immediate referrals were made to public medical facilities with hepatology departments supporting the project, aiming for the prompt initiation of medical monitoring and treatment. For elderly participants who faced difficulties in managing their appointments, project staff provided active support in scheduling their visits via the 1535 helpline at Athens hospitals with hepatology clinics.

The graph below shows the monthly distribution of tests conducted during the implementation of the project.