The Hellenic Initiative Australia has funded a volunteer medical mission by Axion Hellas to four remote Aegean islands next month, which will provide preventive and specialised medical care for people living in these isolated communities.

The AU$50,000 grant is supporting Axion Hellas’ 7^th Sea Crossing, which will visit the Dodecanese islands of Astypalea, Tilos, Halki and Kastellorizo between 6-14 April 2019.

Axion Hellas’ team of medical volunteers will depart Athens on 6 April in a fleet of 12 rigid inflatable boats for the seven-day mission, covering approximately 730 nautical miles.

Free medical examinations are expected to be provided to more than 1300 residents of the four islands, which have limited health care facilities and access to hospitals with specialist medical services. 

Axion Hellas will set up temporary clinics  on each island, providing access to specialist doctors and a comprehensive range of medical tests, including blood tests, eye and breast examinations and ultrasounds.

The medical team will include approximately 50 doctors (of about 23 medical sub-specialties), 8 nurses, 5 dentists and 43 allied health professionals and support personnel.

The Hellenic Initiative Australia grant follows last year’s support for the September mission to Psara and Volissos (Chios), which assisted more than 500 people on the two islands.

This will be Axion Hellas’ first mission to these islands.

The first stop will be at Astypalea (population 1334) on 6-7 April, followed by Tilos (pop. 780) on 9 April, Halki (pop. 478) on 10-11 April and Kastellorizo (pop. 492) on 12-13 April 2019.

Clinics will operate between 8.30am-3pm. Home visits will also be conducted on all islands for less mobile residents.

“The Hellenic Initiative Australia is proud to continue its support for Axion Hellas and provide critical medical care to isolated and vulnerable island communities,” said THI Australia President, Nicholas Pappas AM.

“People living on these remote islands, particularly the elderly, face many challenges accessing basic and specialist healthcare, even more so during the winter months,” Mr Pappas said.

The grant was welcomed by Axion Hellas President Vassilis Pateras, who met with the THI Australia Board in Sydney in February.

“We are very honoured to have joined forces with The Hellenic Initiative Australia in this important mission, which supports people living in remote communities and helps to save lives,” Mr Pateras said.

As well as providing medical care during its annual missions to remote and isolated communities, Axion Hellas provides cultural and educational activities and funds infrastructure projects.

A highlight of this mission will be a free concert by renowned performer, Alkistis Protopsalti in Kastellorizo on 13 April.