Obesity programme: Ministry announces planned November restart
A new timetable for the 43,500 current participants, without a precise starting date.
Updated 19.10.2026 · 19:09, Athens time — What changed:
On 19 October 2026, Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki announced a planned November restart of the free adult obesity programme.
According to the update, the 43,500 current participants will see their doctor again free of charge; the doctor will decide on treatment of up to eight doses. This is an announced timetable, not confirmation that the restart has already happened.
No precise starting day or new application procedure is provided. November is the new timetable detail compared with the 13 October update, retained below as dated reporting.
Earlier reporting — 13 October 2026
The 43,500 people already enrolled in Greece's free adult obesity programme may receive up to eight medication doses from the outset, according to a Health Ministry update on 13 October 2026.
The development was attributed to a recommendation by the Public Health Expert Committee which, the Ministry said, was received late last week after an interruption in June.
Eight doses are not automatic for everyone
The treating physician will determine an individual total of one to eight doses. The notice does not name a particular medicine and does not replace clinical assessment or prescribing.
The Ministry says the programme continues normally and remains completely free for current participants. It attributed the delay to moving funding from EU to national resources.
What has not been announced
No new intake has opened. The possible inclusion of additional beneficiaries is deferred to a later announcement. The full notice reviewed does not contain new eligibility rules, an application platform or a deadline.
Today's information comes from points of a radio interview with the deputy health minister published by the Ministry. The same notice does not include a new joint ministerial decision or detailed implementation guide; further official publication would be needed if the procedure changes.
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