WRITTEN QUESTION No. 45/99 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS Telemedicine in the public health sector in Greece (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
Date: 1999-01-22
Institutions: European Parliament, HATZIDAKIS
Subjects: Community support framework, Greece, Integrated Mediterranean Programmes, financial management, information technology applications, management, medical institution, public health, teleworking, therapeutics

C 320/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

(1999/C 320/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0045/99

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Telemedicine in the public health sector in Greece

(22 January 1999)

The introduction of data-processing in public health has been long delayed in Greece: so far only 15 general
hospitals out of the 143 public hospitals and 173 rural centres in Greece are equipped with computers. These
computers were secured under the IMPs, but have not been upgraded since then and are used chiefly as word
processors. Another consequence of their non-compatibility with up-to-date telecommunications techno-
logies is the total absence of telemedicine in the Greek public health sector. However, the Operational
Programme for Health under the second CSF provides for 24 general hospitals to be equipped with advanced
communications systems, with pilot applications in seven regions of the country.

Will the Commission say:

1. How is the programme to install this technology in the seven pilot regions and the other 17 general

hospitals included in this programme progressing?

2. Given its involvement in programme funding, how long does it believe it will take to introduce

telemedicine applications in Greece?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

1.
Under the IMPs 15 hospitals were equipped with information technology systems. Far from functioning
merely as secretarial support these have been used primarily for administrative and financial management of
the hospitals and in some cases to set up a hospital pharmacy, and have permitted a substantial reduction in
their running costs.

Under the second CSF for Greece these 15 systems are being updated and equivalent systems installed in a
further 10 hospitals to give a total of 25 fully equipped establishments.

2.
On medical treatment via telecommunication links, the national authorities have informed the
Commission that although no project was included in the IMPs a wholly nationally financed pilot programme
has been implemented.

Under the second CSF a study on installation of the technology for medical treatment via telecommunication
links is in progress. This will serve as the basis for a ‘telemedicine’ plan involving pilot applications in a number
of Greek regions to be selected in line with its conclusions.

(1999/C 320/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/99

by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Granting of EU aid for the regeneration of Portman Bay (Murcia, Spain)

The Autonomous Community of Murcia has announced the intention of Commission Directorate-General XVI
to undertake an in situ assessment of the Portman Bay regional regeneration plan, with a view to estimating
how much EU funding should be allocated to it.

1. Will the Commission provide information on the contents of the regeneration plan?

2. Will it say whether the delegation of experts from the European Investment Bank has already conducted
its inspection? If it has not, when does it intend to do so?