*3.4.3 United4Health programme*

In the programme United for Health, there were overall 33 participants from all Europe as well as international organizations from the sector of electronic health. Greece took part through the 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly and Continental Greece, as well as via the "Cities NET S.A." (Larissa, Ioannina, Volos, Lamia, Kozani, Katerini, Veria, Karditsa, Trikala and Grevena) after being granted permission from the competent Ministries. The programme had a duration of 3 years and a total budget of 10,151,56 Euros for all Europe, while it was cofounded by the European Committee. In the context of the programme, there were selected patients suffering from chronic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus for the case of the pilot in Greece) by the treating doctors with the criteria of the need for intensive home monitoring and adjustment of medication [44]. There were utilized some conclusions from the Renewing Health Telecare Programme in Central Greece and there were organized telecare services of an out-patient clinic in actual conditions. The study conclusions demonstrated that the clinical efficacy of telecare for diabetes mellitus patients is feasible, depending on the service per National Health System, though [43].

#### **3.5 Video-communication stations for the deaf and hearing-impaired**

The National Institution for Deaf People of Greece, since March of 2019, began to develop a new form of service for people with hearing/impaired hearing problems with the aid of technology (Relay Service). The referred to service is of a 24-hour cycle. People with hearing/impaired hearing problems can make use of the electronic appliance on their mobile phone or on an electronic computer of any kind and contact a special interpreter via video call. By using the programme, the improvement of communication and service of the deaf and hearing-impaired is achieved, as the transmission of information to health professionals is facilitated. By extension, the users are able to receive equally quality health services at the levels of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, hospital treatment, rehabilitation and support in administrative services.

In the framework of social support for the disabled, the specific initiative was adopted by the Ministry of Health in Greece, anticipating inequality decrease and equal access to social communication commodities for all citizens. With a document from the Administration of Primary Healthcare of the Greek Ministry of Health (Γ1γ/ΓΦ.20.ΣΤ/ΓΠ. 66393/26.10.2020), it was requested by all structures and services of healthcare provision, both of the public (Hospitals, Health Centers, Centers of Mental Health and other supervised bodies of the Ministry of Health) and the private sector (private clinics, private practices, dental practices, group practices, laboratories, units of daily treatment) to accept and utilize the recommended authorized way of communication through the programme of Relay Service in order to accommodate the deaf and hearing-impaired, as well as for the provision of services in which their physical presence is not required [45].

The first video-communication station for the deaf and hearing-impaired in Greece operated in July 2020 at the "Laikon" General Hospital of Attica. According to the national plan, 30 stations of video-communication for the deaf and hearingimpaired are expected to operate for a trial period of one (1) year both in hospitals and other public services and bodies of common interest in Greece, for instance Local Authorities, Regions, Airports and the Underground [46].

The example of the "Laikon" General Hospital of Attica was followed, in October 2020, by the 4th Macedonia and Thrace Regional Health Authority, which announced the operation initiation of three (3) video-communication stations for the deaf and hearing-impaired at the AHEPA University General Hospital, the Alexandroupoli University General Hospital and at the 25th Martiou Health Center in Thessaloniki [47].

#### **3.6 Mobile health (m-health)**

One of the subdivisions of e-Health is the exploitation of mobile phones, mobile Health (m-Health). The cellular phone is proved to be the handiest tool nowadays, as it has evolved into a personal object that the majority of the population uses and does not part with. It can be recruited in the context of e-Health in a variety of ways: notification of the patient about the taking of their medication through automatized messages, their scheduled appointments or reminders to pregnant women either about different stages of pregnancy or advice when they cope with an unusual condition [48–50].

In Greece, mobile Health was used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, a special hotline of psychosocial support operated in Greece (10306) by the National Public Health Organization. The hotline service was offered under the supervision of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian Athens University [51].
