Greece : mobile medical unit
Greece is one of the main entry points for migration into Europe. In recent years, the reduction of reception services and the limitations of the healthcare system have significantly restricted access to care for people in exile.
In camps and reception areas, precarious living conditions, a shortage of medical staff, lack of translation, and administrative barriers make access to basic healthcare extremely difficult.
In this context, ensuring access to healthcare remains a major challenge and a fundamental right.
For more information on this project, you can consult this document.
Our approach
To address these needs, Van for Life has been working since January 2025 alongside the NGO Med’EqualiTeam, which has been providing medical care to vulnerable populations in Greece for several years.
This partnership is based on strong complementarity:
- Med’EqualiTeam provides medical care
- Van for Life brings logistical and operational expertise
The objective is clear : to strengthen an existing system, avoid duplication, and concretely improve access to healthcare.
Our actions
The project is built around a central element : a mobile clinic that allows direct outreach to the most vulnerable populations. This system enables interventions as close as possible to the needs, access to isolated areas, reduced delays in accessing care, and continuity of medical consultations.
By managing logistics, Van for Life allows medical teams to fully focus on providing care.
Objectives :
Through close collaboration and our mobile unit, our objectives are to :
- improve access to healthcare
- reduce barriers to healthcare access
- strengthen local capacities and develop a sustainable network
Areas of intervention & partners
Activities are implemented in partnership with several local NGOs, which host the clinics within their community centers. Intervention areas evolve according to field needs, following a continuous adaptation approach.
We currently operate in:
- Thessaloniki (Wave Center)
- Ioannina (Habibi.Works & BAAS)
- Serres (Lifting Hands International)
Field activities
The project combines emergency medical response with long-term capacity building, adapting closely to needs on the ground.
Consultations and Treatment
Medical consultations are adapted, high-quality, and accessible to all, with particular attention given to women and children. The presence of translators, either in person or remotely, ensures appropriate care, while a triage system allows for efficient prioritization.
Care and consultations are delivered by a team of volunteer healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors), supported by three coordinators and supervised by the project’s general coordinator, who is also a general practitioner.
Health Education Programme
In parallel, health education activities are carried out for community members and field volunteers. Topics are defined in direct collaboration with beneficiaries and include women’s health, mental health, hygiene, and basic medical advice.
These activities are implemented in partnership with several local NGOs, helping to strengthen knowledge and capacities on the ground.
First Aid Training
First aid training sessions are also provided to communities and volunteers. Adapted to local contexts, they focus on essential life-saving skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for both adults and children.
These trainings contribute to strengthening community autonomy and the resilience of local structures in emergency situations.
Impact of our activities (2023 - 2026)
To help us maintain and further develop this mobile medical unit, you can support Van for Life by making a donation. Every contribution helps ensure access to healthcare for the most vulnerable.
