The second phase of the personal doctor initiative, announced earlier by the prime minister, is moving fast, Alternate Health Minister Irini Agapidaki told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) in an interview.

Agapidaki said that an additional 2,000 doctors have been added to the personal doctor roster in the last three months, raising the total of available personal doctors to 5,496. So far, over 5 million citizens have signed up in the system.

In addition, the minister said, nearly 250 pediatricians have signed up and provide free opportunity for 350,000 children to have a personal pediatrician as well.

As of June 1, whoever has not signed up for a personal doctor will be automatically signed up by the system, on the basis of their home address under their AMKA medical number, she said, adding that the improvement of primary health care is a government priority.  

The system allows citizens to choose their own personal doctor, who acts as reference point on all health concerns, while children are also provided with the opportunity for a personal pediatrician. This system will provide better primary care and limit unnecessary visits to public hospitals.