- Medical Association of Kalymnos Delivers Defibrillators – Signs Joint Declaration on Infertility and Demographic Crisis
On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Medical Association of the Province of Kalymnos, represented by its President and General Secretary, delivered two automated external defibrillators, donated by the Athens Medical Association.
One device was handed over to Mr. Skevos Zempillas, President of the Kalymnos Regional Branch of the Hellenic Red Cross, and the other to Mr. Pantelis Koutroulis, President of the Athletic Club “DAMOS”.
On June 15, 2025, in Tinos, during the presence of Mr. Gerasimos Apostolatos, President of the Medical Association of Kalymnos (I.S.E.K.), a joint declaration was signed concerning the response to infertility and the demographic problem in Greece.
Recognizing the severe demographic crisis facing Greece—marked by a continuous decline in births—according to ELSTAT, the country last recorded a natural population increase in 2010. Since then, births have decreased by approximately 45%, with deaths nearly double the number of births. Greece now ranks among the most aged populations in Europe due to a sharp increase in the aging index.
Infertility affects one in five couples, causing serious social, economic, and psychological challenges. The signatories stress the urgent need for effective, comprehensive policy interventions to address this crisis, in order to ensure social cohesion, economic stability, and the sustainability of the social insurance system.
The signatory bodies call on the State to take the following actions:
- Financial support and tax incentives for young couples, especially those with three or more children, to encourage family formation.
- Full coverage of infertility treatments through social insurance funds, along with the establishment of modern, regional reproductive medicine centers across the country.
- Development and expansion of social support programs offering counseling, psychological, and medical assistance to couples facing fertility issues, with special emphasis on islands and remote regions.
- Promotion of equality policies and reconciliation of family and professional life, with emphasis on extended maternity and paternity leave, flexible working hours, and enhanced childcare services.
- Organization of a national awareness campaign to highlight the importance of family and recognize low birthrates and infertility as major social issues.
The demographic crisis we are experiencing requires coordinated action from all sectors. Ensuring the future of the next generations is a national priority.
We sign this declaration with a sense of responsibility toward the future of our country.
Signatories:
- Medical Association of Rome, Italy
President: Antonio Magi
- Medical Association of Cyprus
President: Petros Agathangelou
- Athens Medical Association
President: Georgios Patoulis
- Cyclades Medical Association
President: Panagiota Voulgari
- Kos Medical Association
President: Katerina Gavala
- Lesvos Medical Association
President: Panagiotis Provetsas
- Lemnos Medical Association
President: Eleni Farmaki
- Medical Association of the Province of Kalymnos
President: Gerasimos Apostolatos
- Medical Association of Greek & Cypriot Doctors of Rome
President: Dimitrios Varvaras
Tinos, June 15, 2025
For the Medical Association of Kalymnos (I.S.E.K.):
President: Gerasimos Apostolatos
General Secretary: Michail Mavros
