Sakis Arnaoutoglou, a Greek MEP from the Socialists and Democrats group, has asked the European Commission whether EU cohesion funds can support primary health and emergency pre-hospital care infrastructure in the mountainous Acheloos Valley, a remote area spanning four municipalities in central Greece. The question, submitted on 22 April 2026, highlights the region's rugged terrain, long distances to hospitals, and limited health services, which the MEP argues contribute to demographic decline and social desertification.
The written parliamentary question (E-001666/2026) contains three concrete asks: how cohesion policy or other programmes can finance health and emergency care in remote areas; whether the Commission intends to support actions improving access to basic health services to counter demographic decline; and whether creating or upgrading health structures serving mountainous municipalities can be eligible under regional programmes or European funds. The MEP invokes Article 174 TFEU, which recognises the specific needs of mountainous areas and supports access to basic services through cohesion policy.
Policy orientation and ambition The question signals a push for EU-level recognition of remote healthcare as a tool for territorial cohesion and demographic resilience. Arnaoutoglou frames the issue not merely as a health access problem but as a means to maintain social cohesion and retain residents in depopulating areas. By linking health infrastructure to demographic decline, he seeks to broaden the scope of cohesion policy beyond traditional economic development.
Expected follow-up The Commission is required to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views such investments as eligible under current cohesion programmes, and whether it plans to prioritise health access in remote regions as part of its demographic strategy. A positive response could open the door for Greek regional authorities to propose projects for EU funding; a cautious or negative reply may limit the scope for using cohesion funds for health infrastructure in mountainous areas.
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