Author: k3-editor

MELODIC: Advancing Mental Health Support for Young Adults with Cancer

The MELODIC project, a European programme focused on the mental health of young adults with lived experience of cancer, launched in September 2024 with the aim of strengthening the mental wellbeing of people aged 18–35, as well as their families. Through collaboration among six European countries, MELODIC combines research, educational activities, and the development of future interventions, promoting a more supportive and personalised approach to care.

MELODIC has already delivered significant outcomes, including outputs related to project management, needs assessment, interview-based research, and the training of healthcare professionals, while preparing upcoming intervention actions and communication and policy strategies.

KEY DELIVERABLES – WHAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED SO FAR

WP1 – Project Management & Quality Assurance

Deliverable 1.1 – Project Implementation Manual:
A management and quality monitoring guide defining implementation requirements, organisational structures, and partner roles.

Deliverable 1.2 – Quality Report:
A quality assurance report outlining procedures to ensure clarity, consistency, and timely delivery of project outputs.

WP2 – Needs Assessment

Deliverable 2.1 – Data Management Plan:
Assessment of the mental health and educational needs of young adults and healthcare professionals, in full compliance with data protection requirements.

Deliverable 2.3 – Interview Study Report:
A comprehensive interview-based study involving young adults, family members, and healthcare professionals across six countries, conducted with ethical approval and presenting key findings.

WP3 – Co-design Guide & Training

Deliverable 3.1 – MELODIC Curriculum:
A training programme for healthcare professionals at EQF level 7, focusing on the identification and support of the psychosocial and mental health needs of young adults with cancer. The curriculum includes learning objectives, training materials, assessment methods, and certification.

WHAT’S NEXT – UPCOMING DELIVERABLES AND ACTIONS

WP4 – Intervention Study

Deliverable D4.1 – Ethical Review:
Ethical approval for the intervention study aiming to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young adults with cancer and their families. The intervention will combine physical activity in natural environments with psychoeducation and informational support.

WP5 – Communication & Policy

Deliverable 5.1 – Communication Strategy:
A communication strategy outlining channels, target audiences, and publication plans for the internal and external dissemination of project results.

Deliverable 5.2 – Policy Outreach Strategy:
A policy engagement strategy at European and national level, including policy and stakeholder mapping and three intervention pillars (European, National, and Project-specific). The aim is to integrate MELODIC training into curricula and to enhance the project’s visibility at European level.

OUR PARTICIPATION IN MELODIC

As part of our active involvement, we have contributed to the production of key deliverables, particularly in data collection through interviews and in the development of the training curriculum for healthcare professionals. Our engagement ensures that the voices of young adults with lived experience of cancer and their families are taken into account at every stage of the project.

For more information and full access to MELODIC deliverables, please visit the project’s official website here.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

2025 – Moving Forward with Vision

The Kapa3 Annual Review 2025 reflects a year of determination and vision, as Kapa3 strengthened its impact through initiatives and collaborations focused on holistic cancer care.During the first half of the year alone, we managed more than 400 individual requests, with support for the process of Disability Certification standing out as a key service—confirming that personalized, hands-on support remains at the core of our mission.

A milestone moment in 2025 was Kapa3’s participation, alongside 13 European partners, in the EU4Health programme MELODIC, which focuses on improving mental health support for young adult cancer patients (18–39 years old). Through research mapping the training needs of healthcare professionals, the project highlights the urgent need for better detection and management of psychological distress among young patients—many of whom still lack access to adequate psychosocial care.

MELODIC promotes innovative wellbeing interventions, such as physical activity in green and blue spaces combined with psychosocial support, emphasizing the healing power of nature and community in mental health recovery. As an active partner, Kapa3 works to ensure that these actions reach patients directly, fostering community engagement and equitable access to quality care.

At the same time, our participation in the second cycle of the SmartHEALTH programme, supported by CERTH, strengthened the digital integration of healthcare services and empowered patients through smart technologies, improving efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.

Our collaboration with FairLife within the BREATH programme for lung cancer patients highlighted the importance of holistic and interdisciplinary care. In parallel, our presence at conferences and scientific events—such as COST Action INECSC CA21125 and the 7th conference “Caregivers and Depression”—consistently brought attention to the needs of caregivers and the empowerment of patients.

At both national and international levels, Kapa3 presented its work at the Lazord International Conference, the Pan-Macedonian Scientific Nursing Conference, and the ESMO World Congress in Berlin. We also participated in major events such as the Patients Summit, Morning Health Talks by EIT Health, and the 18th Panhellenic Conference on Nutrition & Dietetics.

A particularly important moment was our action in the Municipality of Megara, where a new Cancer Patient Guidance and Counselling Station was established, offering direct and personalized support to patients and their families.

Prevention and awareness remain fundamental pillars of our work. Breast self-examination initiatives, participation in the Action4Obesity network, presence at the Thessaloniki Disability Festival, and the launch of new nutrition-related sections on our website all contribute to improving the quality of life of patients and caregivers—combining scientific guidance with lived experience.

Awards 2025

In 2025, Kapa3 received significant recognition for the digital platform Cancer Care Connect, winning a Gold Award at the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards, as well as the Gold Award for “NGO of the Year – Health and Social Care” at the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2025.
In addition, our collaboration with the University of Peloponnese received a Silver Award at the Healthcare Business Awards 2025 for the programme “Community co-design and implementation of holistic educational practices for nutrition and mental health.”

Every initiative, every partnership, and every participation brings us closer to our vision: holistic, human-centred care where the voices of patients and caregivers truly matter.

To explore our full journey from the foundation of Kapa3 through the end of 2025, you can view our comprehensive activity report here.

The Kapa3 Annual Review 2025 reaffirms our commitment to holistic, human-centred care, where the voices of patients and caregivers truly matter.

As we step into the new year, we move forward with enthusiasm, commitment, and optimism—to continue supporting patients and caregivers, investing in innovation and education, and strengthening care and participation across all our actions.

We wish everyone a year filled with health, strength, and inspiration.

The Kapa3 Team

World Braille Day – 4 January

4 January is celebrated internationally as World Braille Day, honoring the life and legacy of Louis Braille, the French inventor of the tactile writing system for people with visual impairment. The day highlights the importance of access to education, information, and social participation for blind and partially sighted individuals. World Braille Day was officially recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2018 and has been observed since 2019.

The date was chosen to coincide with the birth of Louis Braille (4 January 1809). Despite losing his sight at a young age, Braille developed a system of raised dots representing letters, numbers, and symbols, revolutionizing education and communication for blind people worldwide.

Why this day matters

World Braille Day is not just a commemorative event—it reminds us of the importance of equal access to knowledge, education, and basic rights for people with visual impairment. According to the UN, Braille is essential for the full realization of human rights for blind individuals, enabling independence, access to information, and social participation.

Globally, approximately 39 million people are blind and 253 million have moderate to severe visual impairment. In the EU, over 2.5 million citizens live with significant vision problems, while in Greece, more than 35,000 people face severe visual impairments. Access to educational materials in Braille is crucial for their integration and independence.

World Braille Day serves as a global call for awareness, encouraging societies, organizations, and policymakers to promote equality, education, and information accessibility for all.

Rights and accessibility in Greece

In Greece, the rights of people with disabilities, including those with visual impairment, are supported by:

Despite these frameworks, practical implementation—especially in digital spaces—remains a work in progress.

Digital and modern accessibility

Technology has created new opportunities beyond printed materials:

  • Digital Braille services and accessible formats are increasingly available
  • Legal requirements for web and app accessibility in Greece and the EU ensure that digital content is usable for people with disabilities

World Braille Day reminds us that access to knowledge and communication is a fundamental human right. At Kapa3, we support initiatives that promote equality, accessibility, and inclusion, aiming for a world where everyone can fully participate and thrive.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3: Participation in the Alliance for Obesity Prevention and the Release of the First National Clinical Practice Guidelines in Greece

The National Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines mark a historic milestone for public health in Greece.

Kapa3, an active member of the Alliance for Obesity Prevention (#Action4Obesity), continues to consistently promote the message that prevention, education, and support are vital for the health of all citizens. As part of our participation, we were delighted to contribute to the workshop of the Panhellenic Association for the Support of People with Obesity “Imeroesa” on “Obesity and Cancer – From Theory to Practice”, a participation that highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.

This participation was part of a broader collaboration that led to a historic milestone for the country: the release of the first National Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity in Greece. At the press conference held on Tuesday, November 25, the completion of these guidelines was announced, marking a landmark achievement for Greece.

The National Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity establish, for the first time, a unified, scientifically evidence-based framework for the prevention, assessment, and therapeutic management of obesity, clearly recognizing it as a chronic disease. This is a project of great significance for society, citizens, and the healthcare system, as it provides critical guidance for addressing a condition that affects a large proportion of the population.

The development of the guidelines took 20 months and involved over 50 experts from 20 different specialties. The project includes 21 chapters, available on the Alliance for Obesity Prevention website, covering the full spectrum of prevention, management, and treatment of the condition. The guidelines provide data on the prevalence of obesity in Greece (almost 70% of the adult population overweight or obese) and internationally, as well as on the impact on healthcare costs, productivity, and mortality.

Alongside the scientific and clinical aspects, the new guidelines highlight the need for social awareness. Obesity is not a matter of personal weakness; individuals living with excess weight often face stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, affecting their mental health, access to care, and quality of life. The adoption of the National Clinical Practice Guidelines signals not only the recognition of obesity as a disease, but also a clear commitment to respect, equal treatment, and the elimination of all forms of weight-based stigma, promoting a society that is more informed, fair, and supportive for all.

The Alliance for Obesity Prevention now emerges as a key actor in public health, while the active participation of Kapa3 reaffirms our commitment to inform, raise awareness, and support patients, reinforcing the shared vision of a society that values health, prevention, and timely intervention.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 at the 6th Interdisciplinary Conference “Brain & Mind”

Kapa3 actively participated in the 6th Interdisciplinary Conference “Brain & Mind”, held from December 18 to 20, 2025, at the Book Tower of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens. The conference brought together scientists, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations to highlight current challenges and solutions in neuroscience, psychology, and digital health.

During the Round Table “Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges”, Kapa3 presented its approach to the human-centered dimension of digital healthcare. Litsa Bista emphasized the importance of digital literacy for patients and healthcare professionals, noting that:

Digital technology is evolving as a core pillar of modern, safe, and human-centered care, particularly in oncology. When patients and healthcare professionals have the appropriate digital skills, stress is reduced, access to reliable information is enhanced, treatment outcomes improve, and patient autonomy is strengthened. Reducing inequalities for vulnerable individuals remains a top priority for all of us.

Particular focus was placed on patients’ daily experiences, a key aspect of the therapeutic process. Support for mental resilience, self-management through digital applications, and strengthening self-confidence and self-efficacy were central messages of the intervention, highlighting the value of collaboration with healthcare professionals to achieve reliable, high-quality outcomes.

The discussion also highlighted the main challenges of digital health in Greece, including fragmented applications, difficulties in implementing hi-tech solutions in outdated systems, algorithmic complexity, and the need for transparency. Kapa3’s approach focuses on system interoperability, collection of high-quality patient data, and creation of services that truly meet patients’ needs, ensuring that technology serves people, not the other way around.

Kapa3’s participation in the conference reflects its ongoing commitment to contributing to the public discourse on the ethical, functional, and human-centered use of Artificial Intelligence and digital tools, always keeping the patient and quality care at the center.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 in Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Regulation

On 18 December 2025, Kapa3 participated in the event “Artificial Intelligence: Towards Regulation or Overregulation?”, on the occasion of the online monograph release “The European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (EU/2024/1689, Artificial Intelligence Act, AI Act): A First Constitutional-Ethical Perspective” by Fereniki Panagopoulou, an initiative of Syntagma Watch. Representing Kapa3 were co-founder of Kapa3, Evangelia Bista, and legal advisor of Kapa3, Zoi Thanopoulou, presenting the organization’s position and concerns regarding artificial intelligence.

During the discussion, Ms. Bista emphasized that the implementation of new technologies cannot ignore the functioning of the public sector: “What hardware will the new accounting system run on? Which government mechanisms will support it, and within what political-administrative culture? Can hi-tech solutions operate effectively in outdated systems with anachronistic practices?” She also highlighted the philosophical and ethical dimensions of AI: “How are intelligence and consciousness connected, and who decides what we can use and how?“

In addition, Kapa3’s core concerns regarding AI integration in healthcare were discussed: the need for transparency and accountability in all uses of digital tools, the protection of patients and the public from algorithmic discrimination, training healthcare professionals for safe and responsible use of technological solutions, and the importance of developing infrastructures and processes that ensure system interoperability and reliability. These concerns are reinforced by Kapa3’s experience in digital patient guidance and the development of support tools with ethical and legal awareness.

Author Fereniki Panagopoulou presented the main points of her monograph, focusing on the practical application of the AI Act: clearly defining responsibilities and limitations in algorithm use, ensuring transparency in AI-driven decisions, and protecting vulnerable groups. She also stressed the importance of aligning technology with ethical principles so that innovation serves citizens rather than efficiency alone. The monograph is available here.

The event highlighted the complex nature of AI-related issues, combining technical, legal, and ethical approaches. Kapa3 reiterated its commitment to contributing to public dialogue on artificial intelligence, protecting citizens’ rights, and promoting the safe and responsible use of digital tools in healthcare, for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Health at a Glance 2025: What the Latest OECD Findings Reveal About Greece

The annual Health at a Glance 2025 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) presents the most recent comparative indicators on population health and health system performance across member countries.
The report examines key dimensions such as population health status, access to and quality of care, health inequalities, health spending, and workforce trends.

Internationally, the data show a partial post-pandemic recovery, while highlighting persistent challenges:

  • Obesity continues to rise (affecting 54% of adults).
  • Around 3 million premature deaths under the age of 75 could have been prevented through better prevention and care.
  • Spending on prevention has dropped back to only 3% of total health expenditure after peaking during the pandemic.
  • Health expenditure remains high, averaging 9.3% of GDP across OECD countries.

Within this broader landscape, the findings for Greece are particularly significant.

Key Findings for Greece
  1. Public satisfaction with health services: among the lowest in Europe

Across OECD countries, an average of 64% of citizens report being satisfied with the availability of high-quality health services.

In Greece, however, less than half of the population expresses satisfaction — one of the lowest rates among OECD members. Similar low levels are found in Italy, Hungary, Turkey, Chile, and Colombia.

  1. Unmet medical needs: some of the highest inequalities

Across 28 OECD countries, only 3.4% of people on average reported unmet medical needs due to cost, distance, or waiting times.

In Greece, this figure reaches 12.1%, among the highest in the OECD.

Additional findings include:

  • Over 8% of the population in Greece, Canada, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia reports unmet medical needs.
  • Greece presents some of the largest socio-economic inequalities in access.
  • Among people in the lowest income quintile in Greece, one in six does not receive the medical care they need.
  • Cost is the biggest barrier to accessing care.
  1. Health spending and out-of-pocket payments: heavy burden on households

Across OECD countries, out-of-pocket payments account for roughly 20% of all health expenditure.

In Greece, households cover more than one-third of total health spending — among the highest levels internationally, alongside Mexico, Chile, and Latvia.

  1. Remuneration of health professionals: low levels

Earnings for self-employed medical specialists exceed USD 300,000 in countries such as Germany, Austria, and South Korea.

Conversely:

  • Bulgaria reports the lowest remuneration levels.
  • Greece records earnings of USD 65,000–75,000 for salaried specialist doctors — comparable to Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica.
What these findings mean

The OECD data clearly illustrate that Greece faces:

  • A high financial burden on patients and households.
  • Barriers to access, particularly for lower-income groups.
  • Gaps in service availability and quality.
  • Deepening structural inequalities within the healthcare system.

For organisations such as Kapa3, these findings reaffirm the importance of:

  • providing continuous guidance and support to patients and caregivers,
  • advocating for equitable access to health services,
  • promoting policies that reduce financial and social inequalities in healthcare.

Sources

OECD – Health at a Glance 2025: OECD Indicators

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Provision of High-Cost Medications During the Christmas Period

The National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) has announced the dates for the provision of high-cost medications during the Christmas period, allowing patients to be served at private pharmacies.

The announcement is accompanied by a table showing the availability of the medications, to facilitate smooth collection.

Due to the inability of some pharmaceutical and transportation companies to fully meet the demand during the holidays, requests submitted through the High-Cost Medications (HCM) platform will be processed according to the dates and medications listed in the attached table.

The option to collect HCMs from private pharmacies gives patients greater flexibility and reduces delays that may occur during the holidays. This ensures the continuous administration of their treatments while minimizing inconvenience and waiting times at public pharmacies.

You can view the table/list of medications by opening the attached PDF HERE.

Read the official EOPYY announcement here.

For a full overview of the general framework for HCM distribution and the most recent updates, you can read our related article here. It describes the ministerial decision (Government Gazette B’ 6333/27.11.2025), which updates the process for HCM distribution, now allowing collection from community private pharmacies. This decision replaces the previous 2020 framework and aims to ease patient access, reduce delays, and improve access to critical treatments.

During the Christmas period, Kapa3 remains by patients’ side, ensuring timely and safe access to their treatments. Through continuous information and support with practical matters, our goal is for patients to feel confidence and care, even during times of increased challenges such as the holidays.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

The Visit of Love: a shared act of care and hope

In December 2025, Kapa3 took part once again the Visit of Love, an initiative by WinCancer that aims to bring warmth, presence, and emotional support to those who will spend the holiday season in oncology hospitals.

Once again, the response was deeply moving.

Cards and messages arrived from all over — through the post, by courier, in parcels both large and small, and sometimes delivered by hand. Each one carried a simple but powerful message: you are not alone.

Among them were cards written by preschool children, some with their very first letters, others expressed through drawings and colours. Messages full of innocence, light, and hope — “get well so we can eat Christmas cookies together.”

There were also messages from adults who had faced cancer in the past and now shared their words of encouragement together with their children, closing a circle of empathy and solidarity.

This action is addressed to everyone who will spend the holidays in oncology hospitals — patients, companions, and healthcare professionals alike — acknowledging the emotional weight of these days and the importance of human connection.

The process was intense, emotional, and, at times, chaotic.

Glitter and golden dust filled desks, clothes, and hair. While those traces will eventually disappear, the love, smiles, and hope that passed through our hands will remain.

For Kapa3, supporting initiatives like the Visit of Love is an essential part of our mission: to strengthen collaboration, promote solidarity, and contribute to actions that place human connection at the centre of care.

We warmly thank WinCancer for the trust and collaboration, as well as everyone who participated and offered a piece of their heart. Together, we can continue creating moments that matter.

Until next year, we hold on to the love, the hope, and the reminder that small gestures can make a big difference.

Text: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Migrants Day – 18 December

Health without borders: equal access to care as a human right

International Migrants Day is observed every year on 18 December, marking the date in 1990 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The day is not only about population movement, but about fundamental rights, dignity, and—above all—equitable access to health care for all, regardless of origin or legal status.

Global Statistics

Globally, more than 281 million people currently live outside their country of birth, representing approximately 3.6% of the world’s population (International Organization for Migration – World Migration Report).

Migrants and refugees consistently face health inequalities driven by barriers such as language, limited health literacy, insecure housing and employment, and fear of exclusion from health systems. According to the World Health Organization, social determinants of health play a decisive role in access to prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, resulting in poorer health outcomes for migrant populations.

These inequalities are further compounded among particularly vulnerable groups, including children and young people, women, and individuals without stable legal status. In cases of serious or chronic illness—such as cancer—delayed diagnosis, interruptions in treatment and lack of psychosocial support can have a profound impact on disease outcomes and quality of life.

Situation in Greece

Within the Greek context, the country continues to serve as both a host and transit point for migrants and refugees. According to data from Eurostat and the Hellenic Statistical Authority, a significant proportion of the population residing in Greece consists of third-country nationals, while access to comprehensive health services remains uneven, particularly for young people and individuals with increased care needs. Despite existing legal provisions, practical barriers persist in prevention, continuity of care and psychosocial support.

In oncology, these challenges become even more pronounced. Cancer does not discriminate, yet access to care is often shaped by social and economic factors. The need for culturally sensitive, accessible and continuous health services is critical to ensure that no person is left unsupported when facing a cancer diagnosis.

In this context, Kapa3 has long worked to highlight social inequalities in health and to promote holistic cancer care for all people, regardless of background. In 2024, a targeted support initiative for refugees and migrants living with cancer was implemented through the programme “Cancer May Control your Body for a While, But Not Your Soul”, with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation.

The action focused on the regions of Macedonia and Thrace, addressing refugees and migrants in the area, with particular emphasis on the 15–24 age group, aiming to provide immediate primary care assistance and continuous support throughout the course of their treatment.

International Migrants Day is a reminder that health is a human right, not a privilege. Ensuring equitable access to care—especially for those most at risk—is a shared responsibility of institutions, health professionals and society as a whole.

A fair and healthy society is one that leaves no one behind.

Sources:

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3