Hellenic Cancer Federation | ELLOK shared on LinkedIn:
“Patient Participation Gains an Institutional Role in Shaping Cancer Policies
A significant step towards meaningful patient participation in shaping cancer policies is being taken with the official recognition of the Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK as an institutional interlocutor of the Greek State on matters relating to cancer care and the rights of people with cancer.
The recognition was institutionalised through a Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Health, published in Government Gazette B’ 5042/11.08.2026.
It provides for the participation of ELLOK representatives in the competent bodies of the State that take decisions in a number of areas concerning cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, palliative care and post-treatment care, etc.
In parallel, provision is made for ELLOK to participate in research programmes related to cancer care. This creates a clearer institutional framework for the participation of the organised cancer patient community in the processes through which cancer policies are developed and evaluated.
As work has already begun on the new National Cancer Action Plan, ELLOK has participated from the outset in the Working Group established by the Ministry of Health, so that the perspective and experience of patients form an integral part of its development.
As George Kapetanakis, President of ELLOK, said: ‘The recognition of ELLOK as an institutional interlocutor of the State represents an important achievement given the systematic efforts of the last decade for the voice and experience of people living with cancer to have a meaningful place where the decisions that affect them are designed and taken. For us, patient participation is not an end in itself. It acquires real value when experience becomes knowledge, knowledge becomes better policies, and those policies in better care and quality of life for every person facing cancer in our country.'”
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