{"id":122,"date":"2025-11-22T17:11:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T16:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/?page_id=122"},"modified":"2026-04-23T18:34:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:34:15","slug":"sante","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/sante\/","title":{"rendered":"Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Access to healthcare in Greece: guide for Afghan refugees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healthcare for Afghan refugees in Greece: this guide explains access to healthcare, AMKA, PAAYPA, hospitals, medicines, and useful support in Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide explains how to obtain a health number (PAAYPA \/ AMKA), where to go to see a doctor, how to access medicines, and which organisations can support you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AMKA and PAAYPA: your health number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To be treated in the Greek healthcare system, you must have a unique health number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PAAYPA (for asylum seekers)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This temporary number is given when you register your asylum application. It allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>go to the hospital<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>get prescriptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>have medical examinations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>vaccinate children<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AMKA (for recognised refugees and beneficiaries of protection)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This permanent number is required for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>specialist consultations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regular treatments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>access to pharmacies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>certain administrative procedures (insurance, employment, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can you request or update your number?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a KEP centre (\u039a\u0395\u03a0) \u2013 Citizen Service Centres<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the Asylum Service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NGOs such as GCR, SolidarityNow, UNHCR, METAdrasi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Where can you receive medical care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Public hospitals (\u0394\u03b7\u03bc\u03cc\u03c3\u03b9\u03b1 \u039d\u03bf\u03c3\u03bf\u03ba\u03bf\u03bc\u03b5\u03af\u03b1)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Free or low-cost consultations. Possible services include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>emergency care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gynaecology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>paediatrics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>radiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>specialists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> arrive early, bring your documents (PAAYPA \/ AMKA, asylum card, etc.) and expect to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health centres (\u039a\u03ad\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u03a5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03c2)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are suitable for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>quick consultations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>renewing prescriptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>vaccinations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>paediatric follow-up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waiting times are often shorter than in hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free social clinics (\u039a\u03bf\u03b9\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac \u0399\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03b5\u03af\u03b1)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Created for people in vulnerable situations, they offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>basic healthcare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gynaecology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>general medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>dispensing urgent medicines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical NGOs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several organisations provide free care or support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>M\u00e9decins du Monde (MdM)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PRAKSIS ;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SolidarityNow (social centres)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>METAdrasi (psychological support, mediation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Possible services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>general practitioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>psychologist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gynaecology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>paediatrics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>medical orientation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>social support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Vaccinations, children and school health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children\u2019s vaccinations are free in the public health system. Even without a vaccination booklet, the hospital can create a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greek schools may ask for proof of vaccination, but they cannot refuse a child if your medical file is still being updated. If you are unsure, ask a doctor or an NGO for help.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Mental health and psychological support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afghan refugees have often experienced difficult situations (war, exile, family separation). In Greece, it is possible to receive psychological support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Available services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>psychologists and psychiatrists in public hospitals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mental health centers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NGOs: SolidarityNow, MdM, GCR, METAdrasi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>interpreters or cultural mediators (depending on availability)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Appointments can sometimes be offered in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greek<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>English<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dari \/ Farsi (through NGOs or interpreters)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Medicines and pharmacies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pharmacies (\u03a6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b5\u03af\u03bf) provide the medicines prescribed by a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a PAAYPA or AMKA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>some medicines are very low cost<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>some treatments may be free, depending on your status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pharmacist can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>explain how to take your treatment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>give simple health advice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>direct you to a doctor if needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always keep your AMKA or PAAYPA number with you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bring your medical documents to every appointment (prescriptions, results, vaccination booklet).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a life-threatening emergency, call <strong>166<\/strong> or go directly to the emergency department.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write down your appointments and exams so you don\u2019t miss them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for an interpreter if you don\u2019t understand the explanations given.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Greek healthcare system offers broad and often free access to asylum seekers and refugees.\nWith a PAAYPA or an AMKA, you can:\n\nsee doctors\n\nobtain medicines\n\nvaccinate your children\n\naccess psychological support\n\nbe supported by specialised NGOs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need help accessing healthcare, you can contact us via the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/contact\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"33\">\u201cContact &amp; Participation\u201d<\/a><\/strong> website.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acc\u00e8s aux soins en Gr\u00e8ce : guide pour les r\u00e9fugi\u00e9s afghans Sant\u00e9 pour r\u00e9fugi\u00e9s afghans en Gr\u00e8ce : ce guide explique l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins, l\u2019AMKA, le PAAYPA, les h\u00f4pitaux, les m\u00e9dicaments et les aides utiles en Gr\u00e8ce. Ce guide explique comment obtenir un num\u00e9ro de sant\u00e9 (PAAYPA \/ AMKA), o\u00f9 aller pour consulter un m\u00e9decin, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-122","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2111,"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122\/revisions\/2111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afghansingreece.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}