İskeçe medical association to review 180 private clinics and laboratories
The Medical Association of İskeçe plans to compile a public database of licensed private healthcare facilities and strengthen routine inspections, with fines to be imposed for violations.
The Medical Association of İskeçe (Xanthi) is launching a comprehensive registration initiative covering approximately 180 private medical practices and laboratories in the region, aiming to improve oversight of private healthcare services and help residents identify authorised providers.
The decision was approved by the association’s board of directors. According to association president Ioannis Spanopoulos, the initiative will establish a central database of private healthcare facilities and support regular inspections by the association’s designated control committee.
“We will try to bring order to our field. This has now become a matter of public concern, and people also need to be made more aware,” Spanopoulos said, as quoted by local newspaper Empros on October 2.
PUBLIC DATABASE TO COVER FACILITIES REGISTERED BEFORE 2001
The registration process will cover private medical practices and laboratories, rather than beauty institutes and other establishments outside the association’s remit, Spanopoulos explained.
The association intends to include facilities dating back to before 2001, although historical records from that period may be limited.
According to Spanopoulos, medical associations have held responsibility for licensing and inspections since 2012. Between 2001 and 2012, the relevant records were held by regional authorities, which have since shared them with the association. For earlier facilities, comprehensive records are unavailable because, according to the president, there was no equivalent designated oversight framework at the time.
Once compiled, the database is expected to be published on the association’s website, allowing residents to consult information about private medical practices and doctors operating in the area.
The association also plans to distribute identification signs to its members for display at their practices. Spanopoulos said the initiative would involve cooperation with other regional medical associations and counterparts across Greece.
INSPECTION COMMITTEE TO BE EXPANDED
The association’s existing inspection committee consists of two doctors and an engineer. Its responsibilities include assessing whether medical practices and laboratories meet the legal requirements for operation.
The committee will be expanded by two additional doctors, according to Spanopoulos.
Beyond reviewing applications for new practices, the committee is expected to conduct routine inspections rather than relying solely on complaints or occasional checks. It will also impose fines when violations are identified, the association president said.
Spanopoulos urged residents to seek reliable information when choosing healthcare providers and to exercise caution when confronted with promises that may be misleading.
He also highlighted restrictions on the advertising of medical services. Greece’s Code of Medical Ethics, under Article 17 of Law 3418/2005, sets limits on doctors’ personal advertising and public promotion, while Article 18 addresses their presence on the internet.
ASSOCIATION WARNS AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BOTOX PROCEDURES
The association also raised concerns about cosmetic procedures, including Botox injections, hyaluronic acid treatments and mesotherapy.
Spanopoulos stressed that Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are medical procedures and must be performed by appropriately qualified doctors.
A clarification published by the Medical Association of Thessaloniki in May 2024, referring to guidance from Greece’s Central Health Council (KESY), identifies specialists in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, as well as dermatology and venereology and oral and maxillofacial surgery, as qualified to perform Botox and hyaluronic acid treatments for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.
Neurologists, neurosurgeons and ophthalmologists may use these techniques for specified therapeutic purposes and indications, according to the same guidance.
Spanopoulos said the association had identified departures from these requirements in İskeçe and intended to strengthen oversight to address unlawful practices.
The planned database and expanded inspection system form part of the association’s effort to improve transparency, reinforce compliance with healthcare regulations and provide residents with clearer information about private medical services.
Sources: Empros, October 2, 2026; Medical Association of Thessaloniki, clarification on botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid treatments, May 13, 2024.
