Category: World Health Day

From access to continuity of care: when navigation becomes part of the solution

Why health systems need pathways, not just pilots

A test is not treatment. A referral does not necessarily mean that a person will reach the care they need. And a successful pilot does not, by itself, mean that a health system works for everyone.

This is the central message of a recent article by Gaurav Ghewade for the World Economic Forum, “Why healthcare systems need pathways, not just pilots.” The key question is no longer simply whether people can enter a health system, but whether the system can support them throughout the journey that follows.

In 2023, around 4.6 billion people worldwide were still not fully covered by essential health services. At the same time, chronic conditions, including cancer, require much more than a single intervention. They demand continuity, repeated contact with services, follow-up and coordinated support.

The critical question therefore becomes:

What happens after the first step?

Does a person know where to go next? Do they understand the procedures they need to follow? Are they aware of the rights and benefits available to them? Can they identify the appropriate services? Is there a clear pathway, or are they left to navigate a complex system on their own?

For people affected by cancer, the journey extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment. It can also involve administrative procedures, social and employment rights, financial and insurance benefits, access to social services, psychosocial support, caregiver needs and the return to everyday life.

This is why navigation is becoming an essential part of person-centred support.

From information to action: MYRTO

This is also the space in which MYRTO – Kapa3’s Digital Social Rights Navigator is being developed.

MYRTO does not replace doctors or healthcare professionals and does not provide treatment decisions. Its purpose is to help people affected by cancer and their caregivers access reliable and understandable information, better understand their social rights and available benefits, identify relevant services and move towards the next practical step in their journey. Kapa3 has positioned MYRTO within a broader approach to digital navigation, social accessibility and patient empowerment.

Because access is only the beginning.

What truly matters is ensuring that no one gets lost between the steps of their journey.

The development of MYRTO is supported by the TIMA Charitable Foundation, Founding Sponsor of MYRTO.

Source

Gaurav Ghewade, Why healthcare systems need pathways, not just pilots, World Economic Forum, 21 August 2026.

World Health Day 2026: Together for Health, Guided by Science

Every year, on April 7th, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds us through World Health Day that health is a fundamental human right. World Health Day 2026 highlights, through its central message “Together for health. Stand with science”, the importance of scientific knowledge, research, and collaboration as key pillars for a fairer and more effective health system.

In an era where information is more accessible than ever—but not always reliable—science remains the solid foundation on which modern healthcare is built. This is not merely theoretical knowledge but a dynamic system grounded in data, clinical studies, and continuous evaluation. Thanks to science, recent years have seen significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of serious illnesses such as cancer, improving both survival rates and patients’ quality of life.

However, this progress is not equally accessible to everyone. In Greece, health inequalities remain pronounced and multifactorial. A significant proportion of citizens report not receiving the necessary medical care due to cost, geographical limitations, or long waiting times, while nearly 1 in 10 households faces severe financial burden from healthcare expenses. Residents of remote areas often need to travel to major urban centers to access specialized services.

At the same time, innovative treatments already available in other European countries may take considerable time to reach Greek patients, limiting timely access to the benefits of scientific progress. This unequal access clearly demonstrates that science, however vital, is not enough on its own—it requires the right mechanisms to ensure its benefits reach everyone.

In this context, technology can serve as a bridge. Artificial intelligence (AI), when based on scientifically validated data, can play a key role in providing accurate and reliable information, reducing misinformation, and improving access to support. Kapa3’s digital assistant, Myrto, is one such example, bringing scientific knowledge closer to patients and supporting their daily needs, always in complement to healthcare professionals.

“Stand with science” therefore means not only trusting science but actively applying it in everyday life. It means seeking reliable information, using modern tools grounded in data, and advocating for equal access to innovations that can improve patients’ lives.

At Kapa3, this commitment is reflected through continuous updates on advances in oncology, new therapeutic approaches, innovative care practices, as well as through collaborations, participation in initiatives, and European programs such as MELODIC. (You can explore related articles here, here, and here.)

World Health Day 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to reflect not only on the achievements of science but also on the challenges that remain. By investing in knowledge, strengthening collaboration, and reducing inequalities, we can shape a health system that is more accessible, fair, and humane for all.

Health should not depend on where one lives, what one knows, or what one can afford. Science exists—the key is to make it reach everyone.
In this context, to “stand with science” ultimately means standing with every person in need of care.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

 

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