The new TV campaign by the Ministry of Health humorously and creatively highlights the multi-channel transformation of healthcare in Greece. For every symptom, there are countless opinions, old wives’ tales, and online advice. Now, cutting through the noise like a deus ex machina, comes 1566—the new unified helpline by the Ministry of Health for citizen access to healthcare services. This single line ends the cacophony and delivers the one piece of information you truly need: the right one.
A relatable ad in everyday language
The new TV spot shows a simple incident in a movie theater sparking a storm of amateur diagnoses. Everyone has an opinion—from grandma’s remedies to dubious online ‘expertise’—resulting in a hilarious mosaic reflecting our daily reality. The solution? 1566, the new direct link between citizens and the National Healthcare System (ESY), offering fast, easy, and reliable access.
What can you do with 1566?
As part of the Ministry’s new Mechanism for Coordination, Navigation, and Multi-Channel Service, the 1566 hotline is free, available 24/7, and currently offers:
– Information on personal and contracted doctors
– Details on healthcare facilities and on-duty services (pharmacies, hospitals)
– Appointment booking via IKA at Primary Healthcare Units and Mental Health Centers
– Updates on preventive screenings and vaccinations
– Guidance on collecting high-cost medications (FUK)
– Instructions for filing complaints
Starting October 1st, 1566 will also handle hospital appointments across the ESY network.
From cacophony to multi-channel access
With 1566, the chaotic Babel of healthcare communication is gone. Healthcare is now multi-channel: call 1566 or visit 1566.gov.gr—anytime, anywhere, from any device. This isn’t just another hotline; it’s the digital hub revolutionizing access to the ESY, bringing services directly to the citizen’s doorstep.
Whether you’re the type who thinks they know it all, the one scrolling endlessly online, or the one who trusts grandma’s advice—you now know where to turn. The right information is just four digits away: 1566.
The implementation of 1566 is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility ‘Greece 2.0’, supported by European Union funds—NextGenerationEU.