PRAKSIS NGO with the support of Prolepsis Institute in Greece participate in CANCERLESS, providing access to early diagnosis of cancer and innovative solutions improving the access of the homeless population to public healthcare settings.
PRAKSIS and PROLEPSIS aim to ensure equal rights to health and equal opportunities to access prevention and treatment services. Our project is adapting the the Health Navigator Model, a person-centered healthcare model that facilitates access to cancer prevention services for homeless people.
The pilot implementation of the project is taking place in Greece and specifically in the regions of Attica and Thessaloniki. The aim of the CANCERLESS program is, through the pilot actions, to develop recommendations for integrated ways of care for specific health problems and diseases affecting the homeless of Europe.
In Greece, the operation of the Health Navigation Model is based at PRAKSIS Community Center in Athens, PRAKSIS Homeless Day Open Centers in Athens and Piraeus and Thessaloniki Polyclinic. The aims are:
- To implement a personalized risk profiling and support of homeless people via the use and capacity of Health Navigators.
- To provide information to homeless people about risks and prevention options.
- To link homeless people with relevant healthcare sectors if there is a specific need or support to be addressed.
In Greece, the intervention focuses on both primary and secondary healthcare. The main pillars of the intervention include:
- Psychosocial and medical support.
- Counselling on medical issues and education on issues related to prevention or any other matters that might occur (for example, to obtain a bank card, legal supporting documents such as identity card etc.).
- Other types of support such as escorting beneficiaries to institutions/ services for further linkage to care.
- Support to provide safe accommodation.
- Interpretation during specific appointments for further services.
More than 261 beneficiaries have been supported as part of the Greek pilot implementation of the CANCERLESS project via a variety of services (psychosocial support, counselling, medical support, pharmaceutical support, hygiene material provision, mental health referrals, shelter, provision of clothes and food, use of laundry, legal support, job counselling projects linkage, equipment for apartments that some persons have been able to find etc). The main barriers are related to legal, mental health, financial, housing issues and language.
We use a holistic model of support in order to achieve the upper goal, which is prevention.
For more information, please call: 2105205200, PRAKSIS or send an email to info@praksis.gr and make an appointment now.
Or simply come, Monday – Friday 09.00-17.00:
- Sarpidonos 24: PRAKSIS Community Center
- Deligiorgi 26-28: Open Day Center for Homeless in Athens
- Zosimadon 44: Piraeus Homeless Open Day Center
- Arkadioupoleos 3: Thessaloniki Polyclinic
For more information on the project: https://praksis.gr/cancerless/