In Greece, where more than 200 inhabited islands are scattered across the Aegean Sea, access to healthcare remains a daily challenge for many residents of remote communities. ARTE’s documentary Volunteer Doctors in the Aegean follows the remarkable work of the Mobile Medical Units, an initiative funded exclusively by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, that brings specialized medical care directly to islands with limited healthcare services.

Travelling with doctors, nurses, technicians, and sophisticated medical equipment, the film accompanies a mission to the Cycladic island of Serifos, where a temporary clinic is established to serve local residents.

Beyond documenting a humanitarian mission, the film offers an intimate portrait of island life and the realities faced by people living far from mainland medical infrastructure. Through encounters with patients, healthcare professionals, and local families, the documentary highlights both the vulnerabilities and resilience of Greece’s island communities.

It is a compelling story of solidarity, volunteerism, and the belief that quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of geography.

WATCH the video