Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis on HVAC Copper Theft: Immediate Dismissal if Employees Involved

In a statement referring to a serious case of theft at the Evangelismos Hospital, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis left open the possibility of internal involvement. Responding to scenarios suggesting that those who removed the copper wiring might be a Roma subcontractor group involved in renovation projects underway in the ‘Patera’ building, specifically Roma hired to help dismantle tanks, Georgiadis emphasized during an ERT interview that these possibilities were not high. He explained that the area where the incident occurred was restricted and subcontractors were monitored. The stolen copper had little value, indicating the purpose was not profit but rather to disrupt hospital operations and tarnish the image of Greece’s National Healthcare System (ESY). The minister noted the timing just before the heatwave suggested an intention to undermine the public health system. “I know not everyone is pleased with the progress made by ESY. I hope none of them are involved. If it turns out to be an ESY employee, they will be dismissed immediately,” he underlined. Georgiadis confirmed ongoing preliminary investigations by both EL.AS and the hospital’s own EDE, mentioning the prevailing scenario points to internal sabotage.