Greece: 1.5 million people undergo kidney function tests

In recent weeks, over 1.5 million citizens have received SMS messages from the Ministry of Health urging them to undergo preventive kidney function screenings. This was reported by eKathimerini.com. The campaign is part of a national prevention program targeting individuals with established risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions.

Deputy Minister of Health Eirini Agapidaki explained that those included in the program receive a referral for an eGFR test via serum creatinine, as well as an additional test that allows for the detection of early kidney damage even when initial results appear normal.

According to her, referrals have been issued for 1.59 million people so far, with approximately 250,000 more added following cardiovascular disease screenings.

“We are not waiting for patients to reach the stage of dialysis. We are intervening in time to prevent future complications,” Agapidaki emphasized.

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis urged citizens not to ignore the messages they receive. According to him, early diagnosis can significantly slow or even halt the progression of kidney disease and can be decisive in whether patients lead a normal life or require long-term dialysis treatment.

The Ministry of Health indicates that 5.2 million people have been screened through various preventive programs to date, identifying over 178,000 cases of diseases requiring follow-up monitoring and treatment.