Primary Health Care
Primary Health Care (P.H.C.) is the first point of contact for citizens with the National Health System and a key pillar of it. It includes a wide range of services focusing on prevention, health promotion, early diagnosis, treatment, and continuous care. These services are provided by personal doctors, pediatricians, nurses, and other health professionals. The term Primary Health Care first appeared in Greece with Law No. 1397/1983 “National Health System” (Government Gazette 143/A/07.10.1983).
The goal of P.H.C. is to ensure citizens’ access to quality health services, promoting health and preventing serious illnesses. Primary Health Care constitutes the first level of the care system, followed by Secondary and Tertiary Health Care. It can be provided by both public and private entities.
Structures of P.H.C.
Primary Health Care forms a unified and comprehensive system whose services extend throughout the country through the following structures:
- Health Centers
- Local Health Units (T.O.M.Y.)
- Regional Clinics (P.I.)
- Polyclinic Regional Clinics (P.P.I.)
- Special Regional Clinics (E.P.I.)
- Local Clinics (T.I.)
(Here you can find more information regarding the Public P.H.C. Structures.)
Services Provided by P.H.C.
P.H.C. services are offered in the above structures without requiring admission to a hospital. Indicative services include the implementation of disease prevention measures and programs, the execution of the National Screening Program for selected diseases, and health promotion initiatives.
P.H.C. also provides regular monitoring and management of patients with chronic diseases, as well as referrals—depending on severity—to Secondary or Tertiary Health Care. Additional services include pre-hospital care, vaccination programs, rehabilitation services, and palliative and supportive care.
Dental and orthodontic care is also available, with emphasis on prevention. Finally, P.H.C. is connected with social care services and central diagnostic laboratories that provide lab and imaging diagnostic services.
(Here you can access the Services of the Primary Health Care System.)
Personal Doctor
The Personal Doctor service provides individualized and continuous healthcare for every citizen. The Personal Doctor is one of the main contact points between a patient and the healthcare system, aiming at early diagnosis, management of chronic diseases, and guidance toward specialized health services when necessary.
This ensures holistic and high‑quality care for citizens, contributing to health promotion and well‑being. According to Law N.4931/2022, the Personal Doctor is responsible for prevention, updating the electronic health record, prescribing medication, and issuing referrals to specialized medical personnel, when appropriate.
All citizens over the age of 16 may register with a Personal Doctor. Registration can be completed through the online platform, pharmacies, public health structures, or directly through the doctor.
Appointments are booked electronically, by phone, or through dedicated phone lines, and visits are free for registered citizens, who can receive consultations, prescriptions, and examination referrals without any additional cost.
(Here you can find more information about the Personal Doctor.)
