Greek Ministry of Health Selects Sheba as Partner in Healthcare Transformation

Looking forward, Sheba will bring its expertise in advanced medicine, artificial intelligence, digital health, and medical staff training to several hospitals across the country, helping them enhance the care offered to patients. 

The newly formalized partnership is a testament to the deepening strategic relationship between Israel and Greece, reflecting the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing medical innovation and saving lives.

Bringing the Sheba Model to New Shores

Technology will be a core area of collaboration between Sheba and Greek hospitals, from digital transformation and AI solutions to telemedicine services and implementation of advanced medical technologies. 

Sheba’s experts will work with local hospital personnel and administrators in planning, establishing, and developing medical departments, specialized units, and centers of excellence, with professional clinical training and development for medical teams to be advanced in tandem. 

Furthermore, the Center’s teams will provide in-depth consultation on hospital management and operations, infrastructure planning, and the improvement of clinical processes. 

Underlying this framework is a key principle: rather than implementing what works at Sheba as a one-size-fits-all model, the budding partnership will enable Greek hospitals to scale and adapt Sheba-developed solutions to the specific needs of their own healthcare system. 

Together, Sheba and the Greek Ministry of Health will collaborate to introduce innovative treatments and technologies, build advanced patient care pathways, raise the quality of care and operational efficiency, and strengthen the professional capabilities of healthcare teams.

Built on Diplomacy, Signed in Solidarity

The agreement grew out of an initiative taken by the Embassy of Israel in Greece and Ambassador Pninat Yannay, who brought senior leadership from Sheba’s managerial suite and the Greek Ministry of Health together. 

A professional visit to Greece by Prof. Amitai Ziv, Deputy Director of Sheba Medical Center, Director of the Sheba Rehabilitation Hospital, and Founder and Director of MSR, helped lay the groundwork, and intensive joint efforts allowed the parties to advance the MOU within a short timeframe.

The date the MOU was signed in Athens held special meaning. Signing the agreement, Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis marked the occasion with words recognizing the day’s importance: “I feel very honored that, on the anniversary of October 7, 2023, of this terrible terrorist attack by Hamas against the people of Israel, I am in my office together with the Ambassador of Israel to Greece and we are signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Israel’s largest hospital, Sheba, and the Greek Ministry of Health. We are going to develop cooperation in several Greek hospitals, which will lead to the introduction of innovative treatments that will help thousands of Greek patients and upgrade the level of care provided in the National Health System. Our strategic cooperation with the State of Israel continues in the field of Health.”

Ambassador Yannay saw the agreement in the context of both its date of signing and the two countries’ shared values:

“There is deep significance in signing this agreement today, on the anniversary of October 7. On the day when we remember how Hamas came from Gaza to destroy, shed blood, murder and cause so much pain, we choose to do exactly the opposite. Hamas came to destroy — we come to build. Hamas came to take lives — we come to save lives. Hamas brought pain — we bring healing and recovery. This is who we are. These are the values we choose to uphold — the Greek people and the people of Israel, together.”

Medicine as a Bridge Between Nations

For Sheba, the agreement’s significance goes beyond the practical. “The Greek Ministry of Health’s decision to select Sheba as a partner in the development of the country’s healthcare system is a strong expression of confidence in the knowledge, experience and capabilities that Sheba has built over many years,” said Sheba Global Director Nadav Ben-Yosef. “There is special significance in a partnership that connects countries through medicine, innovation and the saving of lives. As a leading medical center, our responsibility does not stop at Israel’s borders, and we are proud to bring the knowledge and expertise developed at Sheba to patients and healthcare systems beyond Israel.”

Sheba also extended its appreciation to the Embassy of Israel in Greece for its initiative and leadership, and for building the professional connections beyond borders that made the agreement possible. As the collaboration moves into concrete action, the growing ties between Israel and Greece take another step forward, showing how medical innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of patients internationally aren’t limited by lines on a map.