Lecture by Professor Konstantinos Gourgoulianis, Pulmonologist, at Athens Campus of Keele University Greece.
Keele University Greece launched its new lecture series, “Reflections,” in the University’s main auditorium at the new Athens campus. The first event, open to the public and entitled “Experiences and Lessons from the Recent Pandemic,” attracted a large audience of students and academic staff, highlighting the continued need for informed discussion around the most significant public health crisis of the 21st century.
The keynote speaker was Professor Konstantinos Gourgoulianis,, Pulmonologist and Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Thessaly.Seizing his extended experience on the frontline of healthcare delivery, Professor Gourgoulianis offered an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced by both the Greek and international healthcare systems. He noted that all members of society—and healthcare professionals in particular—had lived through a landmark moment in the history of medicine. He highlighted that Greece was among the first countries to successfully implement lockdown measures, the only proven effective response based on experience from previous pandemics, and observed that outdoor living and mild winters may have contributed to reduced transmission rates.
The lecture coincided with recent media reports on an increase in influenza cases, particularly in the United Kingdom. Addressing these reports, Professor Gourgoulianis explained that this represents the expected seasonal influenza cycle, which becomes more severe every few years. He noted that influenza had largely “disappeared” during the pandemic due to mask use and other protective measures, describing its recent resurgence as a “return to normality.”
During his presentation, Professor Gourgoulianis spoke extensively about the COVID-19 experience, focusing on weaknesses in health system preparedness, critical decision-making processes, and the social inequalities that were exacerbated during the pandemic. He also referred to the historical context of pandemics and the role of both traditional and digital media in shaping public awareness. Furthermore, he emphasised the urgent need for sustained investment in Primary Healthcare and Public Health, while praising the remarkable speed of scientific innovation and underscoring the importance of international collaboration and digital technologies as key tools for strengthening resilience against future health threats.
Following the lecture -attended by the Chair of the Academic Council, Professor Konstantinos Arkoumanis, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odysseas Zoras, and the Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mr Konstantinos Simopoulos- a wide-ranging discussion took place with the audience. Professor Gourgoulianis responded to questions on the resilience of healthcare systems and preparedness for future public health emergencies.
The “Reflections” lecture series is a new initiative by Keele University Greece, featuring distinguished speakers and aiming to foster meaningful dialogue on contemporary issues at the intersection of science, health, and society.