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Anastasia Balezdrova

For two months already the Greek physicians and other professionals in the healthcare field have been able to obtain information on all developments in the sector for free. The information is summarized and published on the online platform Univadis.gr, which is part of the global network developed by the international pharmaceutical company MSD.

All those interested in research papers, research results, new treatment methods and hundreds of online educational seminars in 60 different specialties can find them in the platform, which also publishes the content of prestigious medical journals such as The Lancet, Springer, BMJ Learning and the JAMA Network. Of course, it contains the new issues of Merck Manual which was published in 1899 for the first time and which became a bestseller a century later.

"The information contained in the platform has been provided by independent sources. Univadis does not aim to advertise MSD’s medicines; through it we want to provide knowledge and information to health workers," said medical director of MSD Hellas Plato Peristeris. The company indicated that it had not been involved in the content of the platform.

The platform was launched in 2002 for the first time and since then it has spread to over 40 countries and in 20 languages. The highest number of its users has been recorded in China, Russia and Brazil. According to Shauna Davis, Communications & Programmes Leader at Merck, the total number of users is 2.1 million and it increases each year by about 30%. More than 100 new information sources are being included in Univadis every week and, sometimes, every day.

The platform is suitable for use on all types of smartphones, tablets and computers. The content is introduced in the form of applications. After registration, each user can customize his or her profile so that he or she has direct access to the information that is of his or her interest. When registering, the user submits his or her personal information and the occupation connecting him or her with the health sector.

On behalf of the leadership of the Medical School of the University of Athens, its deputy dean Nikos Zakopoulos supported the initiative, stating that more similar projects from the private sector are about to be developed. "During the crisis when the Greek physicians have reduced participation in medical forums abroad, the platform is a very important tool for them," he said.

MSD Hellas is already working on a project to provide access to the contents of the platform for medical students, probably by connecting the computers in the libraries of the Medical School with Univadis.

Meanwhile, the physicians from the national health system have decided to extend their strike until 13 December, stating that "the struggle will continue and will intensify until the final victory." They are protesting against the expected cuts.

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said in parliament that if the strike continues, the government will accelerate the reform and "then the physicians will be able to strike, but will already be laid off."

Earlier today Georgiadis had firmly rejected the probability of him signing a document which would exclude the physicians in the national health system from the list of the persons who are about to be cut.