Greece Covers All Cancer Treatment Costs for Children

The Greek state fully covers the medical treatment and medication costs of children with cancer, Maria Tryfonidi, president of the board of Floga, the Association of Parents of Children with Neoplastic Diseases, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), amid a case involving illegal fundraising campaigns for children with serious illnesses.

Families do not need to pay for their children’s cancer treatment, Tryfonidi stressed. If a child requires a specialised operation abroad that doctors cannot perform in Greece, the state covers all expenses following a recommendation from the child’s treating physicians.

Greece has public paediatric oncology departments in Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion, Crete, as well as a corresponding department at a private hospital, Tryfonidi said. She stressed that the care Greek hospitals provide to children with cancer matches the standards of leading centres in Europe and the United States.

Medical and nursing staff have extensive scientific training and work with international centres, with support from Floga, to ensure that treatment protocols follow the latest international practices, she added.

The state covers treatment, but families still need support

Although the state covers medical care in full, families continue to face significant financial and practical pressures.

Tryfonidi explained that lengthy treatment often forces at least one parent to leave their job or close their business so they can remain constantly by their child’s side.

Families who must travel from regional areas to Athens for treatment face particular difficulties. Their extended stay in the capital creates additional accommodation and daily care expenses.

Floga plays a crucial role in supporting these families. The association operates guesthouses in Athens, providing completely free accommodation for up to 50 children and their parents for as long as treatment requires them to remain in the capital.

How treatment abroad works

When a child needs a specialised operation that doctors cannot perform in Greece, the treating physicians recommend the transfer abroad and the state assumes all related expenses, according to the Floga president.

Tryfonidi stressed that families should follow the established official procedures to ensure their children receive the necessary treatment without having to seek money through online fundraising campaigns.

Citizens urged to exercise caution before donating

Following reports of illegal fundraising campaigns, Tryfonidi urged citizens to exercise particular caution before donating money to an organisation or association.

“Not all organisations are the same,” she said, advising potential donors to investigate the work of any organisation before offering financial support.

She identified clear, documented information about an organisation’s activities and operating costs, supported by specific financial figures, as key indicators of credibility. Independent oversight, including audits by certified public accountants, also helps establish trust.

If an organisation does not make transparent information about how it manages donations available, she advised citizens not to contribute.

Founded in 1982, Floga has supported children with cancer and their families for 44 years. With 26 branches across Greece, the association provides accommodation, care and financial assistance while also directly supporting the country’s paediatric oncology departments.

(Source: AMNA)

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