Dr. Vassili Apostolopoulos inaugurates the OWNER’S DECK section and talks to us about the Healthcare industry in Greece, the Group’s vision and goals, the future of the Greek economy and, of course, life on board!
What steps should we take to prove that Greece can be a magnet and a point of reference in the Healthcare industry?
Greek healthcare is of particularly high quality today, as it relies on the right pool of scientists. It is no coincidence that the devastating Brain Drain phenomenon was mainly observed in the healthcare sector. Nowadays Greek doctors are employed in some of the best hospitals in Europe, the US and the Middle East. What’s more, there is also a number of private providers -with the Medical Group leading the way- who invest in cutting-edge biomedical technology, up-to-date training, new technologies and innovative methods. As a result, the human capital together with the right biomedical equipment can offer a unique combination that few European countries can offer today. This, of course, presupposes a competitive cost, which we need to secure so that the country is able to get on the map of healthcare and become a magnet of medical tourism.
Since you mentioned the term, your answer to brain drain was brain gain. Would you like to elaborate on that?
Even during the days of the gravest crisis, what we call brain gain was one of the pillars of our Group’s strategy. We believed and still believe that, in order to change the country’s overall narrative, the particular narrative of each industry has to change. Therefore, conscious of the weight on our shoulders being the largest Group in the industry, we committed ourselves, as part of our strategy, to keep running investment programs and even increase them, if need be, in order to show acclaimed Greek doctors who are active abroad that we can provide them the means, the security and the conditions; we take risks and invite them to come back so that they can offer their services to our fellow-citizens.
What are the Group’s next goals?
Conquering new summits has always been an inherent trait of our Group’s character. So ahead of us there is both short-term and long-term planning revolving on innovation, the need to look outwards and the provision of cutting-edge healthcare services. To this end, we are planning to expand our Group both in Greece and abroad and to attract an even greater number of patients from abroad. Finally, the Group’s intention to establish a Private Medical University remains on our agenda and will be materialised as soon as this is constitutionally feasible.
What is the future of Healthcare in Greece? As far as medical tourism is concerned, you have paved the way. But what about the general picture?
Healthcare today is changing. It is evolving, and we can already observe the presence of foreign investment funds seeking short-term capital gains and disinvestment. Our role is different. In this new environment, which will vary also in terms of public healthcare, we want our Group to be the dominant player and the stable point of reference for the Greek ecosystem in general and for patients and doctors in particular. Greece is a well-known tourism destination, and it is high time it conquered its place on the map of Medical Tourism too. All efforts relied on the individual actions of our Group and it was something we did successfully.
Nonetheless, there was no national strategy and no coordinated effort to slowly raise awareness about the fact that Greece has a heavy healthcare industry that could rightfully hold a prominent place on the map of medical tourism. It is sad to see countries - I am not talking about the obvious ones like Great Britain, Germany, Israel, or even Turkey (a country with a long-term plan to get on the map, backed by the country’s central policy and a host of subsidies and tax breaks)- such as India, Thailand and Mexico, that are way behind our country in terms of infrastructure, to have managed to get on the map of medical tourism thanks to effective positioning and good marketing. Yet, despite the lack of a pertinent national strategy, our Group in Athens and Thessaloniki (with the Inter-Balkan Medical Center) has managed to gain acclaim in the global arena, attracting more than 8,000 international patients from over 50 countries each year.
In your capacity as President of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (EENE), what is your opinion about the state of the economy and the next day?
It is becoming more and more evident that the Greek economy is turning over a new leaf, and the conditions for growth on the fast track are now a reality. Being an investment lever, a bridge to outward-looking business activities and a catalyst for innovation, Greek entrepreneurship is called upon to play a key role. What is needed is internationally competitive products and services, a new business culture as well as the maximisation of added value across the spectrum of Greek production and entrepreneurship. Personally, I am now very optimistic about the prospects of the economy. The examples we have in a number of sectors, but also the bigger picture and the macroeconomic profile are really positive. Yet, we have to be honest and equally pragmatic: we still have a long way to go. Above all, we need to step up the pace and complete the vital reforms that can contribute towards changing the business reality in the country. Then follow the new development regulations and the new development law, the tax policy, development initiatives towards the strategic leveraging of national and European resources, the optimal use of new financial mechanisms and tools, as well as the much needed institutional reforms that will further enhance investment interest both domestic and international. Meanwhile, in a sense, the ball is in the court of Greek businessmen. We have to undertake new initiatives, we need to invest, to collaborate and take risks with a vision and a long-term strategy.
What is the take-home message of the 6th Annual Economic Forum of EENE (Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs)?
The 6th Annual Economic Forum of EENE was more successful than any previous one, boasting increased participation from the business world as well as the Greek world of economics and politics. It also enjoyed extensive coverage because of the news that emerged from it. It achieved its primary objective, namely to identify through the discussions the policies, the framework and the incentives to be given, as well as the initiatives that we, the businesspeople, are called upon to undertake with responsible investments across the spectrum of economic activity. Additionally, the Forum focused on the key point that the state along with private initiative are called upon to lead together the country to the next day with a vision and determination, unlocking and reinforcing in every way possible the ingenuity and productivity of Greeks, innovation, cooperation and outward-looking businesses.
What initiatives do you have in store in order to promote entrepreneurship in Greece?
EENE’s work is complex and multifaceted. Unavoidably, part of our work receives media attention, but the quintessential part of our work is silent; it’s all about our efforts to boost entrepreneurship across its entire spectrum, with targeted actions and initiatives aimed at improving the framework, removing barriers and giving Greek entrepreneurs additional opportunities, tools and momentum. Considering the fact that we have always shared our thoughts with all governments, I could not fail to describe our satisfaction in realising that in the new narrative of the country and its economic policy a number of our key opinions have been taken into consideration. As regards the Association’s next activities, we will continue to actively contribute towards stimulating investment and enhancing the outward look of Greek businesses, by all means available to the EENE. Open and closed B2G and B2B workshops, delegations of businesspeople in Greece and abroad, participations in targeted international and national forums, new policy proposals and new, even more creative, initiatives aimed at further enhancing investment in research and innovation. As part of the latter, we will continue to actively bridge established businesses with breakthrough, innovative and emerging business ideas, whose fusion often leads to mutually beneficial partnerships, surplus value, new products and services.
life ONDECK
1. The best time of the day on board.
It’s the time when the whole family gather on the platform to take up our water activities; swimming, diving, jet skiing, sometimes water slides or water fights, etc.
2. Favourite gadget.
My all-time favourite gadget is my racing SUPER JET. It helps me relax and probably unnerves everyone else because of the characteristic noise generated by the two stroke engine!
3. Top design or ergonomics?
Top design and ergonomics are not incompatible concepts. Of course, they are always a matter of personal opinion. The real opportunity cost is always a few more knots to speed things up.
4. Activities at sea.
It could be anything. Anything from working and reaching the Athens office with the telecommunications systems, to Greek summers in complete relaxation. Sea, iced coffee, sunbathing, gastronomic misdemeanours, ouzo and sunsets.
5. Favourite destination.
A favourite short-haul destination with no access from land which we frequently visit is Zogeria on the island of Spetses. Clear blue waters and the beautiful chapel of Aghios Georgios make up a picturesque and genuinely Greek landscape.
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The interview and photoshoot for Skipper ONDECK Issue 56 Summer 2019 with Dr. Vassili Apostolopoulos took place at the Yacht Club de Monaco, which we would like to thank for their hospitality.
