Equity Archives

Kapa3 in the second half of April: Information, collaborations and strengthening patient care

Kapa3 in April

Throughout April, Kapa3 continued to develop actions and initiatives aimed at improving access to care for oncology patients and their families, with a strong focus on information, prevention, and the development of innovative collaborations.

This period’s activities focused on raising awareness about key cancer types, improving patients’ daily lives through policy and systemic developments, and expanding partnerships that enhance the quality of care and services provided.

In an ever-evolving healthcare environment, the connection between reliable information, human support, and technology remains a key pillar for a more accessible and effective care system.

Below are the main initiatives and developments that marked the second half of the month.

Awareness

April is an awareness month for head and neck cancer as well as testicular cancer, highlighting the importance of prevention and early diagnosis. Although these types of cancer are often underrepresented in public discourse, awareness plays a crucial role in reducing late diagnoses and improving patients’ quality of life.

Patients’ rights

Important developments took place in the field of patients’ rights, including the establishment of the National Registry for Hospital-at-Home Care (NOSPI), aiming to better organise and ensure the safety of home-based care.

At the same time, the new framework for Public Administration introduces changes that directly affect citizens’ daily lives, enhancing transparency, reducing bureaucracy, and improving access to public services.

Collaborations

During April, Kapa3 further strengthened its network of collaborations through significant partnerships.

The collaboration with the PRAXI Network/FORTH, within the European smartHEALTH hub, enhances participation in innovation and health policy initiatives, opening new opportunities at European level.

In addition, the partnership with Karkinaki focuses on supporting children, adolescents, and families living with cancer, promoting a holistic approach to care.

Furthermore, the collaboration with SimasiaAI for the development of “Myrto”, an AI-powered digital assistant, highlights the importance of technology in empowering patients and improving access to reliable information and services.

Research & knowledge

A new international report on person-centred cancer care highlights the need for a holistic model that places the patient at the centre. This approach recognises not only clinical needs but also psychosocial dimensions, reinforcing the importance of patient involvement in decision-making.

Patients & society

On the occasion of European Patients’ Rights Day (18 April), Kapa3 highlighted the importance of equal access to quality care. Despite progress, challenges such as inequalities and delays remain, making the continued strengthening of support structures essential.

Supporting our work

Kapa3’s collection of handmade scarves continues to serve as a creative way of supporting the organisation’s mission, combining aesthetics with meaningful contribution to people living with cancer.

We continue to monitor developments and work towards improving patients’ daily lives — more news coming soon.

Text/adaptation: Ifigenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 announces collaboration with SimasiaAI for the development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” (Myrto AI Assistant)

The Kapa3 – Cancer Guidance Center announces its collaboration with SimasiaAI, for the co-development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” (Myrto AI Assistant), an artificial intelligence (AI chatbot) designed to enhance digital cancer support for patients with cancer and their families through immediate, reliable, and personalized information.

This initiative is part of Kapa3’s strategic focus on leveraging innovative digital tools to improve access to information, strengthen guidance, and reduce the digital gap often faced by vulnerable groups in the healthcare sector.

The Health Navigator “Myrto” is not just an information tool, but a new form of social artificial intelligence in cancer care support in Greece. It is designed to transform digital information into a more human, accessible, and meaningful experience, allowing users to interact, receive guidance, and access support tailored to their needs.

Through its dual role as a “Patient Empowerment e-Navigator”, the system will function both as a Patient Advocate—providing guidance on patient rights, benefits, and access to healthcare and social services—and as a Health Navigator, offering reliable information to support better understanding and self-management of health-related issues.

At the same time, the Health Navigator “Myrto” aims to enhance health literacy, support the psychosocial dimension of the disease, and highlight available community resources, contributing to the reduction of inequalities in access to information.

Kapa3, with its long-standing experience in guiding and supporting cancer patients, continues to invest in initiatives that promote equal access to information and digital empowerment, utilizing technology with a strong social and human-centered approach.

The collaboration between Kapa3 and SimasiaAI leads to the development and integration of the Health Navigator “Myrto” into Kapa3’s platform, highlighting the importance of cooperation between social organizations and technology providers in creating innovative digital support tools for cancer patients. Through this initiative, the goal is to meaningfully empower patients, support healthcare professionals, and advance more human-centered digital services.

The development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” marks an important step toward a new model of digital care, where artificial intelligence complements human support, enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Founding Sponsor of the “Myrto”Health Navigator is the TIMA Foundation.

Our Press Release text here: PRESS RELEASE SIMASIA AI

Text: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Social Work Day: The Critical Role of Social Workers in Health and Society

International Social Work Day, observed annually on March 27, is an important occasion to highlight the multifaceted work of social workers and their contribution to promoting social justice, equality, and human dignity.

Social workers are on the front lines supporting vulnerable groups, playing a crucial role in areas such as healthcare, mental health, social welfare, and the care of individuals with chronic conditions, including cancer. In oncology in particular, their contribution is invaluable, as they provide practical, emotional, and social support to patients and their families, significantly improving their quality of life.

Global Context

Globally, the importance of social work is widely recognized, with social services forming a fundamental pillar of health and welfare systems. In the European Union, social service professionals exceed 10 million, representing about 5% of the total workforce, underlining the critical role of the sector in maintaining social cohesion.

In Northern and Western European countries, social workers are systematically integrated into multidisciplinary care teams and are an essential part of primary healthcare and social support services. International guidelines emphasize that adequate staffing of social services is a key requirement for the effective functioning of health systems and meaningful citizen support.

Despite these standards, gaps and inequalities persist:

There is a global need to increase social care personnel, especially in regions with high social needs.
Inequalities in access remain a challenge even in advanced countries, highlighting the importance of planning and coordination.

Social Services in Greece

Greece’s social care framework is based on the National Social Care System (Law 2646/1998). Services are structured across three levels:

Primary: Prevention, support, and local services, mainly provided by municipalities (Community Centers, social offices).
Secondary: Care and rehabilitation facilities for more complex needs.
Tertiary: Specialized services for severe or rare cases, typically in hospitals or research centers.

However, despite the legal framework, services in Greece are fragmented and understaffed:

Social workers number around 7,000, with fewer than half employed in public social services.
Many work on fixed-term contracts or subsidized programs, creating instability in service provision.
In local government, the ratio can reach one social worker per 40,000 citizens, highlighting severe understaffing.

As Evangeli Bista noted in a recent interview, 92 municipalities in Greece have no social work staff at all. Strengthening social services is therefore not only about meeting patient needs but also about empowering communities and fostering environments of solidarity and support.

At the same time, local initiatives demonstrate the potential for reinforcing social services. For example, Kapa3’s recent collaboration with the Municipality of Meteora to establish a Counseling Office for Cancer Patients and their Families represents a significant step toward strengthening social care locally.

Staffing the office with a social worker and a psychologist, along with providing free guidance, psychosocial support, and connection to other services, illustrates in practice the critical role social workers play in supporting patients and improving their quality of life.

On the occasion of International Social Work Day, it is important to recognize the invaluable work of social workers, address existing gaps, and showcase positive examples, such as the Municipality of Meteora, supporting the collective effort for a system that leaves no one behind.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

The “Myrto” Health Navigator : A New Era of Digital Support for Oncology Patients

The “Myrto” Health Navigator brings digital and AI-powered care closer to oncology patients, supporting personalization and equitable access to services.

On the occasion of the recent initiatives implemented by Kapa3 in the context of World Cancer Day, our organization once again highlighted the importance of access, empowerment, and meaningful support for oncology patients. Through awareness actions and public engagement, we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening patients’ voices and improving their everyday reality.

Throughout its journey, Kapa3 has consistently demonstrated its dedication to supporting oncology patients by bridging gaps in information, accessibility, and social care. Building on this experience, we are now taking the next step forward.

After five years of continuous presence in empowering oncology patients through digital guidance, Kapa3 is expanding its footprint in the field of social accessibility by creating an innovative digital assistant: “Myrto.”
“Myrto” addresses the phenomenon of second-level digital exclusion, transforming digital information into a human, accessible, and meaningful experience. It represents the first Social Artificial Intelligence application in the field of social welfare for oncology patients in Greece.

It goes beyond providing information: it converses, guides, and evolves according to users’ real needs, with an emphasis on both accessibility and psychosocial support.

Our aim is to develop a fully functional chatbot integrated into the Kapa3 website, to train social workers and healthcare professionals in its use, and to substantially reduce the digital divide for vulnerable groups.

“Myrto” will offer holistic and personalized guidance to oncology patients as a true Patient Empowerment e-Navigator, through two main pillars:

Patient Advocate: Support with legal and administrative procedures (benefits, patient rights), facilitation of access to social welfare services, and guidance within the local healthcare system.
Health Navigator: Provision of essential information for health self-management.

At the same time, the platform will enhance communication, highlight available community resources, and incorporate an innovative health literacy assessment tool, enabling full personalization of the services provided.

The project will be developed, tested, and validated by oncology patients as well as by social workers, legal and financial experts, and consultants in health communication and psychology, both in person and online across Greece.

Your participation could substantially contribute to co-creating a personalized Navigator for every oncology patient, as a multidisciplinary perspective is a key factor in the project’s success.

Upon completion, we expect significant social, health, and scientific impact: improved patient quality of life, strengthened self-management, reduced resource requirements, and the creation of a network of experts and informed patients and professionals.

The Founding Sponsor of the “Myrto”Health Navigator is the TIMA Foundation.

We invite organizations, professionals, and stakeholders to become partners in this new chapter of the “Myrto” Health Navigator by Kapa3 and contribute to building a more accessible, inclusive, and patient-centered healthcare environment.

Evangeli Bista,

Co-founder Kapa3 – Head of Strategic Partnerships
PhD(c), MBA, MSc, BSc

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3