During a presentation event for the donation by the Stelios Haji-Ioannou Charitable Foundation, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a significant funding initiative aimed at strengthening the incomes of 80 doctors serving on 47 small islands in Greece. The donation amounts to €10 million, enabling each eligible doctor to receive a net monthly stipend of €1,500 for 12 months each year, in addition to their regular salary. This initiative highlights the importance of healthcare sustainability in remote areas and aims to attract more medical professionals to these regions.

The foundation's program offers a stable incentive for physicians to maintain their posts, with funding allocated over a period of seven years. The total earnings for a doctor providing service in one of the covered islands until 2032 could reach €126,000, which is a significant financial incentive in a country where many small islands struggle to retain healthcare professionals due to limited resources and challenging living conditions. Specifically, the program targets islands with a permanent population below 4,000 residents during the winter months that only have small primary healthcare facilities.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment by the Greek government and private entities to improve healthcare access in underserved areas, ensuring that communities on these islands receive essential medical services. It also serves to fortify the healthcare workforce in Greece, providing necessary support to doctors who may otherwise be reluctant to work in such isolated environments, thus enhancing the overall healthcare system in the nation.