1st Fertility Festival in Athens focused on medical tourism and travel

The 1st Fertility Festival closed its works on Sunday June 9th at Zappeion Megaron in Athens with the participation of prominent scientists, politicians and religious personalities. The scientific conference has been organized by the International Health Tourism Center and was held under the auspices of ELITOUR, the Athens Medical Association, the Global Greek Doctors Institute and FedHatta

The scientific and social message of the festival was to raise awareness about Fertility to Greek and international scientists, State officials, participants of Health Tourism initiatives in Greece, and to the general public .

On Sunday a Celebration of Fertility took place by a special rap song “Mama”,written exclusively on this purpose, and which has already become a viral among youngsters in Greece. Young parents of Assisted Reproduction and their kids came to Zappeion Megaron to celebrate motherhood, fertility and family , on a mini dance parade that brought families and experts together . All parents spoke about the blessing of a child in their marriage, the gift of life that changed the meaning of their lives, and thanked the Greek scientists for making their dream come true .

The President of the International Health Tourism Center and President of Athens Medical Association Mr. George Patoulis emphasized on the worldwide scientific distinction of the Greek doctors on Assisted Reproduction and IVF methods that make the specialty take the lead among the other Greek Medical Tourism branches . 

The President of Athens Medical Association and Newly elected Attica governor referred also to the decreasing number of births in Greece, which he said, due to the economic crisis, after 2011 is falling lower than the number of deaths, with bleak forecasts.

“The slogan is that Yes, we can," said George Patoulis, and stressed that "Couples all over the world come to Greece to make their dream of a child come true, and they do succeed, so the Greek parents can achieve that goal as well.” 

The demographic issue had been extensively discussed also during the scientific sessions of the Festival on  Saturday 8/6, as well as the international legal framework, and Greek  legislation on assisted reproduction which is the most flexible around Europe. The religious and political issues concerning low birth rate and population decline in Greece and Southern Europe have also been the topic of round tables by the participation of his eminence, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Raymond Leo Burke. The Holy Diocese of Philadelphia and Nea Ionia of Attica Greece, Gabriel , participated also in the discussion with the experts.

Special emphasis on the evolving demographic problem of Greece, and  the political solutions that are directly required, was  also given by  the speech of , Adonis Georgiades, the vice-president of the opposition party of Greece, New Democracy .

The President of the International Health Tourism Center, President of ELITOUR, President of the Athens Medical Association and New Governor of Attica, Mr. George Patoulis, stressed that the issue of Fertility for Greece is a national issue of highest importance.

"I have promised that the Attica Region will become a Family-friendly region with a package of measures that will boost fertility. With the aim of more than two children, by family, therefore , direct initiatives will be taken by the  regional government to encourage childbearing and the planning of the third and next child, a factor that,would promote  the desired preservation and growth of the Greek population. " Mr. Giorgos Patoulis, pointed out  that the goal is to make Attica as a" Family friendly region " a model for all the regions of the country. 

The Vice-President of the Global Greek Doctors Institute , gynecologist and famous IVF expert worldwide, Mr. Constantinos Pantos, stressed that Assisted Reproduction  is the spearhead of Health Tourism of Greece and has contributed to the restoration of the scientific credibility of health services, that Greece can today offer to Health and Medical travelers of the world. He stressed, however, that together, Greek physicians and state officials must step up efforts so as Greece to conquer the place it deserves on Global Health Travel Index  "There is no one left in our temporary laurels because the science we serve does not stay stagnant, it requires the new with the synergies of people and peoples to promote research and development, "said Mr. Constantinos Pantos.

The Secretary General of the International Health Tourism Center and ELITOUR Mr. Petros Mamalakis, in his speech on Fertility Tourism, stressed that the sector still needs the strong cooperation of travel agencies , hospitals, hotels and airlines in order to attract more health travelers on Assisted Reproduction in Greece.

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