1,066 children had free of charge medical examinations from 04.03.2019 to 29.03.2019 through the action of preventive medicine/ dentistry, which takes place in the Municipalities of Komotini, Maroneia-Sapes and Iasmos in the framework of the project “Integrated Territorial Synergies for Children Health and Protection II” - INTERSYC II '.

 

The project INTERSYC II is being carried out under the Interreg VA Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020 program with key partners the Nadja Center Foundation - Sandanski Branch - Bulgaria, the Regional Education Department - Blagoevgrad - Bulgaria, the Municipal Development Agency of Komotini Municipality and the lead partner "The Smile of the Child".

 

The action of preventive medicine / dentistry, which is ongoing and will last up to 04.06.2019, is staffed by specialized scientific staff: doctors, social workers, nurses, administrative staff and external collaborators. Free Preventive Exams are conducted using the Multi-medical unit "Hippocrates", which includes the Otorhinolaryngologic, Cardiology, Pediatric, Ophthalmologic and Dental Department, and the Mobile Medical Units of the Organization "The Smile of the Child" also.

 

The Multi-medical unit for kids "Hippocrates" is now in the city of Komotini, where it will stay throughout the implementation of the action, as it receives daily visits from educational units of Primary Education. The Mobile Unit for Preventive Medicine / Dentistry for children has visited the areas of Sapes, Roditis, Kikidio, Xylagani, Aegiros, Kosmio, Amaxades, Neo Sidirohori and Nea Kallisti, while the Mobile Diagnostic Ophthalmological and Otorhinolarygological Unit for Preventive Medicine for Children has visited the areas of Sostis, Linos, Astomatoi, Mishos, Mega Pisto, Sidarades, Stylario, Rizoma and Iasmos.

 

The contribution of the project to the goals of the program lies in improving the quality of life of the residents by focusing on the target group of children. The addressing of crucial social problems such as trafficking, which is linked directly to the disappearances of children, the support of families in crisis and the ensuring of good health for children are decisive factors for keeping the local population in its residence, strengthening the relationships between the two sides and creating a favorable environment for the development of sustainable economic activities. The activities of INTERSYC II cover distant areas with the same and even more intensive needs of preventive medicine actions for children, especially under the current socioeconomic circumstances.

 

The Project is developed through two (2) main intervention axes. The axis 1 aims to actions for the protection of children in danger and to the Promotion / training / demonstrative operation of the European Hotline for Missing Children 116000, the Amber Alert Hellas and European Child Alert Automated System (ECAAS). The axis 2 aims to the Improvement of Health Services and Social Care Services for Children through the actions of Preventive Medicine in Greece and Bulgaria and through Educational Seminars in the field of rescue/ first aid in Greece and Bulgaria in collaboration with the National Center of First Aid also.

 

INTERSYC II  is the continuation of the previous INTERSYC project, is funded by the European Territorial Cooperation Programme "Greece - Bulgaria 2014-2020", 85% by ERDF and 15% by National Funds. The main idea of the Project is based on ascertaining the community of the problems faced by the vulnerable group of children on both sides and the capitalization of the project INTERSYC that was implemented with great success during the previous programming period 2007-2013. Its implementation has begun since 5 September 2017 and will end on 4 September 2019.