Press Release

Athens, 30 April 2026

The need for a structural reform that will transform Greece into a regional leader in digital health is highlighted by the joint White Paper of the Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK, the PhARMA Innovation Forum (PIF), and i-HD (European Institute for Innovation through Health Data).

The policy paper, entitled “European Health Data Space (EHDS) in Greece: Establishing a Health Data Space Ecosystem”, is the result of two co-creation workshops held in 2025 as well as European experience in developing similar frameworks. It proposes a roadmap for transitioning from regulatory compliance towards leveraging the opportunity created by the European Health Data Space framework, with the aim of generating real value for patients, healthcare professionals, and the health system as a whole.

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is a strategic European initiative that creates a unified regulatory framework both for the primary use of data (for the provision of care) and for its secondary use (for research, innovation, public health, and policy-making). The EHDS regulation represents a structural reform for the European health landscape, aiming to establish a secure and interoperable framework for health data utilisation that operates through interconnected systems enabling the exchange of insights at both European and national level.

A central conclusion of the joint initiative is that institutional regulations and technical infrastructures, while necessary, are not sufficient on their own for the successful development of a Health Data Space in Greece.

Effective use of data requires coordination, trust, and the active participation of all stakeholders. Therefore, the creation of a structured stakeholder ecosystem is proposed, operating in complementarity and full alignment with the official institutional framework of the Ministry of Health. This ecosystem will focus on addressing practical challenges not covered by legislation, such as ensuring semantic consistency of data and building trust between citizens and the health system.

The White Paper sets out six strategic recommendations to the State:

Primarily, it proposes the official recognition of an autonomous and representative ecosystem, supported by a neutral coordinating body that ensures transparency and the participation of all stakeholders, with patients at its core. Strategic alignment with the State is deemed necessary, but without direct governmental operational control, in order to preserve the flexibility of the initiative. Furthermore, it proposes the establishment of formal communication channels for the transmission of national priorities, as well as an explicit commitment by the State to leverage the technical expertise of stakeholders in the design of future policies. The framework is completed by the establishment of transparency mechanisms that ensure the ethical use of data, transforming it into social value and guaranteeing that its secondary use serves exclusively the improvement of patient care and safety.

The importance of the initiative is reflected in the positions of the three organisations. ELLOK emphasises that health data must remain inextricably linked to the patient experience, without revealing patient identity, as trust is the foundation of any reform. The PhARMA Innovation Forum underlines that secondary use of data is a critical driver for the development of new therapies and precision medicine, while also enhancing strategic planning and predictability of the health system. i-HD highlights that without strict standards of interoperability and data quality, the EHDS will remain an unfulfilled promise.

The White Paper concludes with a practical 180-day action plan, including the establishment of thematic working groups on key issues such as data quality, secure access protocols, and transparency mechanisms. Through this coordinated effort, Greece can ensure that the digital transformation of health places the citizen at its centre, while simultaneously strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the national health system.

Read the WHITE PAPER here.

Learn more

ELLOK-  LinkedIn | www.ellok.org

PIF: LinkedIn | www.pifgreece.gr

iHD:  https://www.i-hd.eu

About the Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK

The Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK is the secondary-level umbrella organisation of cancer patient associations in Greece. With 52 member associations nationwide, it represents the collective voice of oncology patient organisations.

Its mission is to reduce the burden of cancer on patients and their families, improve outcomes, and enhance the quality of oncology care. This is achieved through the unification of patient organisations, advocacy for the individual and collective rights of patients and caregivers, and the pursuit of universal, uninterrupted access to high-quality, timely, and affordable cancer care for all.

ELLOK also serves as the Hellenic National Cancer Mission Hub, part of the ECHoS (Establishing Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies) network.

About Pharma Innovation Forum – PIF

The PhARMA Innovation Forum brings together 31 leading pharmaceutical companies united by a shared goal: to promote faster and broader access for patients in Greece to innovative therapies. It is an active social partner working alongside institutional stakeholders to contribute to a fair, sustainable and high-quality healthcare system. It also contributes substantially to strengthening Greece’s competitiveness, development, and prosperity.

About the European Institute for Innovation through Health Data (i-HD)

The European Institute for Innovation through Health Data (i-HD) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the responsible, effective, and trustworthy use of health data to improve healthcare, accelerate research, and support better health outcomes across Europe. It brings together public authorities, academia, industry, and patient organisations to promote high standards in data quality, interoperability, and governance. i-HD plays a key role in supporting the implementation of European health data initiatives, including the European Health Data Space, by providing expert frameworks and multi-stakeholder collaboration platforms that bridge policy, regulation, and real-world implementation.

About the ECHoS project

ECHoS is a European project, funded by Horizon Europe Programme, that aims to support the implementation of the Cancer Mission activities in all Member State and Associated Country (MS/AC) through the establishment and development of National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs) operating at national, regional, and local levels. By establishing NCMHs in each MS/AC, European citizens and organisations in health, research and beyond, will be voiced and their voices will echo together.

The National Cancer Mission Hub of Greece was recognised and supported by the Establishing of Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies – ECHoS project, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme during 2023 – 2026. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA).