Citizens of Chania, Crete benefit from new primary care facility

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The Urban Health Centre offers first-rate healthcare services to the citizens of Chania, contributing to the decongestion of Chania Hospital.Aimilia Magkanaraki, Head of Health Policies Planning and Development Directorate, 7th Health Region of CreteWith a population of nearly 109 000 people, Chania is the second-largest city on the Greek island of Crete. To ensure that everyone has easy and free access to quality primary healthcare, this EU-funded project built a 674.86 m2 facility.Located 2 km from the city centre, it is an important step in providing more direct care to residents. The new building, which was built on the site of an old general hospital, is ‘green’ in the sense that it follows energy efficient building practices. It is also expected to create new jobs.Wellness and preventative careThe centre was designed to cover the primary healthcare and social care needs of the general population, with a focus on wellness and prevention. Housing two state-of-the-art local health units and a healthcare centre, it is estimated that the facility will cover nearly 50 % of the city’s needs.Treatments and services offered include family medicine, cardiology, laboratory testing, maternity services, radiation and ultrasound diagnostics, nursing services, social care and health promotion programmes. Health-related education programming is also available.A more efficient serviceAccording to project organisers, the centre will be the main point of service for the many minor injuries and non-serious health issues that arise during the busy tourist season. This, in combination with providing primary care to the general population, will help reduce the workload at Chania General Hospital. As a result, the hospital will be better able to serve those with serious and life-threatening needs.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Construction and Equipment of the Urban Health Centre in the City of Chania” is EUR 1 642 443, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 313 954 through the “Crete” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Jobs, Growth and Investment”.