Dr. Evangelos Spanos
CHAIRMAN OF BIOAITRIKI HEALTHCARE GROUP
Greece 2020 I Health & Pharmaceuticals I Interview
BIOGRAPHY He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Thessaloniki in 1970, has a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the Royal Medical School of London, and a PhD from the University of London. With over 50 publications published, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Royal Medicine School of London and a Research Scientist in the University of Athens before becoming the Chairman of Bioiatriki in 1981.
“BIOIATRIKI WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1981, AIMING TO OFFER THE GREEK MARKET A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH-QUALITY INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, DRIVEN BY THE VISION FOR FULLY ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL CITIZENS.”
THE GROUP HAS STARTED ACTIVITIES IN 1981 AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE LEADING PRIVATE PROVIDER OF PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL SERVICES IN GREECE. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE GROUP’S MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS?
BIOIATRIKI was established in 1981, aiming to offer the Greek market a wide range of high-quality innovative healthcare services, driven by the vision for fully accessible healthcare services to all citizens, based on the pillars of reliability of results, a patient-oriented approach, scientific excellence, technological superiority and the aspiration to create the widest network of healthcare facilities in Greece. In 1986 BIOIATRIKI was the first to introduce the concept of a one-stop-shop, the Diagnostic Center, which revolutionized the market. The success of this concept led to the company’s rapid expansion.
Above all, the greatest achievement for BIOIATRIKI is the TRUST that both the medical community and the citizens of the country demonstrate and as a result of this, the company keeps on growing and developing new services for all.
WITH 52 INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS IN GREECE AND CYPRUS, THE GROUP IS RECEIVING MORE THAN 3,000,000 VISITS A YEAR. WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR 2020/21?
The advances in medicine lead us to constantly set new goals and become a point of reference and credibility, expanding our activities to new markets and locations. Innovative services such as a modern Ergometric & Nutrition Center as well as a Center for Preventive Medicine & Longevity point out the Group’s focus on holistic wellness programs and the constant purpose to reinforce the Group’s role in prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Moreover, until the end of 2020, BIOIATRIKI network will operate 56 Diagnostic Centers in Greece, and our plans for our investment in Cyprus include the creation of a 1,200 sq. meters’ diagnostic center in Nicosia, which will offer the full range of diagnostic tests under one roof, a new concept for Cyprus.
ONE OF THE MAJOR GROWTH ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP HAS BEEN THE INVESTMENT IN CLINICS. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS DECISION AND THE FUTURE FOR THIS ACTIVITY?
BIOIATRIKI Group owns three General Clinics in Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki respectively. Through an ongoing investment plan focused on medical technological equipment and an intensive focus on human resources, we have managed to operate three very successful and well-known Clinics in Greece. This investment in Clinics demonstrates the BIOIATRIKI Group strategy for a holistic approach in Healthcare services, that can be offered to the Greek medical community and the country’s citizens through an extensive medical services network, that can perform every type of examination, as well as complete therapy and operative treatment services.
THE GROUP IS VERY ACTIVE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES. WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN INITIATIVES?
BIOIATRIKI Group perceives Corporate Social Responsibility as an integral part of its business activities, aiming to perform an active social role, with the same sensitivity with which it practices Health care for all. The Corporate Social Responsibility program of BIOIATRIKI Group, was initiated in 2009 with the commitment to continuously improve the quality of life of people, and to promote the value of preventive medicine, a field so important yet so neglected in Greece.
“OUR INVESTMENT IN CLINICS DEMONSTRATES
THE BIOIATRIKI GROUP STRATEGY FOR
A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES.”
BIOIATRIKI Group cooperates with official and local Government institutions, medical associations, scientific societies, and non-profit organizations, mainly as a sponsor, in the context of prevention and providing information on the most common diseases, such as various forms of cancer, cardiovascular, sexually transmitted diseases, allergies, osteoporosis, diabetes, thyroid. The actions that have been implemented within the framework of BIOIATRIKI Group CSR program also include: medical examinations to Sports Federations; sponsorships of athletes for their preparation for the Olympic Games; cooperation with Municipalities throughout Greece for the provision of free hematological tests for homeless people; and support of deprived and uninsured persons and families, covering the expenses of some of their basic needs.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION ON THE FUTURE OF GREECE’S ECONOMY, INCLUDING THE HEALTH SECTOR?
I believe that the Greek Private Healthcare sector has good upside potential and some of the reasons include the ageing population that increases the demand for healthcare services, private healthcare spending is expected to increase by 6% on average between 2018-2022. It is also clear that the Greek citizens prefer private healthcare providers due to suboptimal service and infrastructure of the public hospitals and diagnostic centers, thus the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach should constitute the core basis for a brand new Public Health restructuring, out of which the state will see financial gains and the citizens will receive high caliber healthcare services. I believe that among the first steps that can contribute to such results, can be the PPP model of lab examinations within state hospitals, as well as diagnostic services rendered.