Posted in Animals, Health on May 30, 2022| 3 Comments »
A message from M.
” I have now heard of two cases on the island one in the north and one in Skopelos Town .
So people should be aware that the island has this infection and be careful if they are bitten by a tick and have symptoms ( typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans) they must have a test . If left untreated it can be a very nasty disease”
Posted in Health on November 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »
As of Monday the 15th Of November Maria Kafantari will open her private practice in Skopelos (close to Cosmo Health polyclinic on the ring road)
Maria is a psychologist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holder of a Postgraduate Diploma in Social - Clinical Psychology of Addictions and Psychosocial Problems.
Maria has worked for years as a psychologist at Faros, the organization that helps people with long severe illnesses. She will continue to do so but she also wants to help others that are in need. Maria has been trained in Family Psychotherapy at the Family Therapy Center of Thessaloniki.
Her mental health services include individual counseling and psychotherapy, family therapy and couples therapy. Sessions are by telephone - sessions in her office and online.
Maria can also help non Greeks, English speaking individuals. Her telephone number is 6986522895.
Her email is: markafa78@hotmail.com. Google maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/H2fm6aRrEppZHF666
Good luck Maria with your new endeavor!
Posted in Corona virus, Health on February 17, 2021| 2 Comments »
Yesterday it snowed on the island and today we were sitting on the beach in the sun. What a life!!
Greece will Welcome Travelers with Negative Covid-19 Test or Vaccination Certificate. See the rest of the article below:
GTP travel news
Today I heard from a friend on the island that she booked her vaccine dates with the local pharmacy. We have three pharmacies as you know. One on the Platanos square, one off the Platanos square and one opposite the Health center. Except for the KEP office it is also possible to book the dates there when you are in the right age group that are allowed to be vaccinated.
Posted in Health on October 10, 2020| 1 Comment »
A meeting about something completely different, resulted into getting acquainted with two wonderful inspiring women who gave me the information about a group of mental healthcare workers who travel around the Sporades and provide important help to those in need.
The mobile team Magnesia is part of a urban non profit organization called Diodos.The aim of the non profit organization, based in Volos and founded in 2005, is the psychosocial rehabilitation of people with chronic mental illness. They work towards prevention, they provide therapy, they try to improve the quality of life and working against stigmas. The team has been set up to reach remote areas like the island of the Sporades. It consists of a psychiatrist, a psychologist a social worker and a nurse.
(photo from a visit of the mobile team to the Skopelos community center)
Apart from the mobile team Diodos also manages an orphanage, a day center and protected housing.
The WHO writes on their homepage: This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The past months have brought many challenges: for health-care workers, providing care in difficult circumstances, going to work fearful of bringing COVID-19 home with them; for students, adapting to taking classes from home, with little contact with teachers and friends, and anxious about their futures; for workers whose livelihoods are threatened; for the vast number of people caught in poverty or in fragile humanitarian settings with extremely limited protection from COVID-19; and for people with mental health conditions, many experiencing even greater social isolation than before. And this is to say nothing of managing the grief of losing a loved one, sometimes without being able to say goodbye.
The economic consequences of the pandemic are already being felt, as companies let staff go in an effort to save their businesses, or indeed shut down completely.
Given past experience of emergencies, it is expected that the need for mental health and psychosocial support will substantially increase in the coming months and years. Investment in mental health programmes at the national and international levels, which have already suffered from years of chronic underfunding, is now more important than it has ever been.
This is why the goal of this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign is increased investment in mental health.
Diodos provides an important sevice to those in need on the Sporades and hopefully will do for a very long time.
For more information see below:
Posted in Health on August 18, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I am extremely grateful for being given the opportunity to follow and participate in a five hour course in basic resuscitation by the Greek Rescue Group of Magnesias of the European Resuscitation Council. The course was co-organized by the municipality of Skopelos.
Local coordinator Evi Rodiou from the municipality was efficient, wonderful and her enthusiasm is inspiring. The two instructors mr. Vangelis Vamvakas and Thanos Tzoumas showed a very dedicated approach to their work and what they could teach us. I will remember them saying this to us:“you are not a doctor or a nurse but the first ten minutes after somebody is hurt without a doctor of nurse present you can mean something in somebodies life”
Many people signed up to participate but only 20 were allowed to come because of Covid-19. We all maintained our distance, wore masks and everything was continuously cleaned after an exercise. More people in the future will be able to follow the course. I advise it to everybody who speaks Greek well.
We were also taught how to use a defibrillator. I wrote a post about it because one has been placed in the harbor of Skopelos and one in Loutraki.
defibrillator in two harbors on Skopelos
Posted in Health on August 9, 2020| 2 Comments »
In an effort to protect the public’s health and wanting to provide more security to all citizens (citizens and visitors of our island) in the best possible way, the the Skopelos port police fund have proceeded to the purchase of two Automated External Defibrillators, which were placed in prominent external places in the central port of Skopelos and in the port of Loutraki, Skopelos, and specifically in the Port Guards houses.
The AED is a portable device that analyzes the heart rate and if it diagnoses a problem that needs defibrillation, then it proceeds to defibrillation to restore the heart rate to its correct frequency.
Most external defibrillators are designed to be used, under any circumstances, in emergencies where there is no immediate medical attention and can be used by any citizen over the age of 12 who has attended special cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training seminars.
Posted in Corona virus, Health on July 28, 2020| Leave a Comment »
As of Wednesday the 29th of July the wearing of masks by the public is mandatory in bakeries, butchers, fish shops, patisseries, retail shops, hair dressers and beauticians.
Also we must wear a mask in banks, post office, the water and electricity company and other government offices.
Posted in Health on July 25, 2020| 6 Comments »
The words below are from their press release
In a world in crisis and turbulent times, with daily life becoming more and more demanding for everybody, some things that are of worth must remain stable points of reference in our lives and in society, but this does not mean that they should remain stagnant.
So, the private polyclinic «ASCLEPIEION OF SPORADES» with a base in Skopelos and a branch in Alonnisos adapts to the changing conditions and it is evolving at the same time, in the midst of the new reality, always aiming at the excellence of medical services but also at the best possible medical services to the community of the islands.
Thus, it officially registered its name and trademark/logo, in the context of which it defined a new name / distinctive corporate title with which it will continue to operate as “KOSMOHYGIA” (Greek) and “COSMOSHEALTH” (English).
The trademark (verbal and graphic) is now officially registered, while the transition of the entire paper and digital / internet “imprint” of the polyclinic to the new name “COSMOSHEALTH” will take place gradually in the next upcoming period. At this point it is worth emphasizing that the polyclinic “COSMOYGEIA/COSMOSHEALTH” has nothing to do with any other private Primary or Secondary Health Care company and it operates completely independently, based on the preference and trust of the residents and visitors of the two islands.
«COSMOSHEALTH» for COVID-Free Healthcare
According to the measures taken and the instructions given by the Greek State, the care of possible COVID cases will be done by Public health structures (Health Centers & Regional medical offices) in collaboration with EKAB (by a sea-ambulance which is expected to cover Sporades), utilizing the nearest molecular analyzer (Health Center of Skiathos), the existing ISOBOX at Skopelos, the EODY Mobile car-Unit, under the supervision and coordination of EODY too.
Since the State Health Structures will function as reception and management points for COVID patients, “COSMOSHEALTH” has taken all measures and follows specific patient admission protocol, in order to remain a reference center for medical services away from the possibility of Covid infection (COVID-free operation), in order to protect the health of its clients and its medical-paramedical staff. This will lead to better medical services to permament residents and
island visitors who may belong to vulnerable population group and who may need medical care because of some other cause of illness (apart from Coronavirus) or due to an accident .
This Covid-Free operational management minimizes the possibility of infection or spread of Covid-19 from a referral of a non-Covid patient to a Public Health Structure, which is widely known that the State health facility is oblidged to serve the possible COVID-19 cases.
Thus, for the rest of the summer touristic season, “COSMOSHEALTH” will operate as COVID – FREE Reference Private Health center, paying full repect to the maximum possible protection of communal health and serving the rest cases (normal illness-accidents-injuries) apart from Covid/possible Covid cases. The adjustment of the COVID-FREE operation for the summer season 2020 was a necessary precautionary measure to better protect public health in case of appearaance of confirmed COVID case on the islands of Skopelos and/or Alonissos. Therefore, our operation remains as it is, serving all emergencies that need primary medical care, with clinical and diagnostic exams, medication prescriptions, home/hotel doctor’s visits and of course scheduled appointments of associate doctors of various specialties.
Nevertheless, in case of National emergency alarm situation, we will try to support the local islands’ community as we have been doing continuously the past years so far.
We remain at the disposal of anyone who needs medical advice and health care in accordance with the above, and we operate as Covid-Free reference at SKOPELOS and ALONNISOS as follows:
«COSMOSHEALTH» SKOPELOS Τel.(+30)2424024500 Working hours 08:00 ~ 21:00 Daily
«COSMOSHEALTH» ALONNISOS Τel.(+30)2424065555 Working hours 09:00 ~ 14:00 & 17:00 ~ 20:00 Monday to Friday.
24/7 DOCTOR’s availability at SKOPELOS & ALONNISOS following a call on Mob.(+30) 6942467768
Posted in Corona virus, Health on July 18, 2020| 6 Comments »
Today it was announced via several newspapers that on Skopelos the first patient with mild Corona symptoms (Covid-19) was found. The messages in the articles vary about where the patient is staying, some sources say he is in quarantine in a designated hotel, others say he is in quarantine in his home.
I tried to find a written statement from the National Organization for Public Health (ΕΟΔΥ) in Greece mentioning Skopelos but so far nothing has appeared in a press release. There are the papers though that report the fact and quote the ΕΟΔΥ and I communicated with a council member attached to the mayor of Skopelos mr. Perissis and she told me that the fact is true and they were informed by the ΕΟΔΥ via telephone. I think that when a patient (in general) is found the local ΕΟΔΥ team informs the headquarter and after that the municipality/city is informed. The local ΕΟΔΥ team has been on the island for a while and can perform 5 Corona tests a day.
New rule: As of today everybody in Greece when entering a supermarket and the employees in the supermarket should wear a mask. If you do not wear a mask the fine is 150 euro. Wear a mask, wash your hands reguraly and make sure you uphold the social distancing rules. It is the only thing we all can do at the moment.
Sources mentioning the news (in Greek) Vories Sporades blog, E-Thessalia newspaper, Thenewspaper, Magnesia news
This press release just came from the municipality in which they categorically deny that Skopelos will be “shut down”. This news comes from the television station Alpha. The municipality insists on a retraction of the statement otherwise there will be legal consequences they say.
The municipality urges everybody again to wear a mask, uphold the rules for personal hygiene etc. The municipality announces also that regular checks in businesses will continue on the island.
ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΟΥ ΣΚΟΠΕΛΟΥ
Αγαπητοί συμπατριώτες ,
θέλουμε για ακόμη μια φορά να σας ενημερώσουμε σχετικά με το covid-19:
Να φοράτε μάσκες, να τηρείται τα πρωτόκολλα υγείας και να γνωρίζετε ότι θα ακολουθήσουν έλεγχοι από ειδικά συνεργεία.
Θεωρούμε δε απαράδεκτη την παραπληροφόρηση και δυσφήμηση του νησιού μας από συγκεκριμένη δημοσιογραφική ομάδα εκπομπής του τηλεοπτικού σταθμού ΑΛΦΑ.
Διαψεύδουμε κατηγορηματικά τις φήμες περί δήθεν κλεισίματος του νησιού μας.
Σας καλούμε να εμπιστευόσαστε τις επίσημες ανακοινώσεις από το Δήμο Σκοπέλου και τον ΕΟΔΥ.
Posted in Culture/Music/Film, Health on April 11, 2020| 4 Comments »
This is a hoopoe bird/Τσαλαπετεινός that we saw in our garden a few days ago.
At the moment there are many of these birds around on the island. What is so stunning about the birds is that when the land on the ground or are excited they extend the feathers on their head like a fan. Just beautiful! It might be my idea but I think I see a lot more birds this year than I did last year. Not so much traffic on the roads?
Some news about the corona epidemic in Greece particularly. A lot of experts talk about the use of masks and gloves. Whether to use them or not. What I have gathered (official press conference here in Greece) is that it is not mandatory to use them as the general public but it is when you are ill or working with corona patients.
An outbreak of corona patients in a neighborhood (thank you for correcting me M. it was wrong saying it was a camp) where a lot of gypsies live, in Larissa has caused a lot of commotion and severe quarantine measures have been taken. The patients have been isolated and the area that they live in is in complete lock down. Food and medicines and other help will be provided daily.
Mr. Tsiodras has emphasized yesterday in the daily press conference that now is not the time when the people of Greece should be divided and hate and racism should not be spread when the virus is found in a vulnerable group of citizens. We have to fight the virus together and together we will conquer it he said. No open air markets will be held anymore in the province of Thessalia and sales of goods from trucks, on the street is forbidden.
Schools, universities will remain closed until the 10th of May.
The last couple of days have been full with sunshine here. Maybe it reflects the optimistic news about corona patients in the country. We have to stay inside though as much as possible and see how the next two weeks will evolve in Greece and of course in the rest of the world where maybe other measure will be taken.
Today and tomorrow it is Easter in many places in the world. Everything is different but I am sure people will celebrate these days in a new way, with a lot of meaning. Today in Greece it is Lazarus Saturday, tomorrow Palm Sunday. No church will be open for the public but services can be followed via television, radio and the internet.
skopelosnews 