In the hospital “Metaxas” Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “Step-Step building the new ESA”

It was visited on Friday morning (15/3/2024) by the Prime Minister, in order to be informed about the progress of the renovation and modernization work of the hospital facilities, as part of the wider program of upgrading the structures of the National Health System. During the visit, Mr. Mitsotakis, who was accompanied by Health Minister Adoni Georgiadis and Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, said: “We are building the new National Health System, which we have envisioned and which is worth all Greek women and all Greeks. Here today, in this iconic anti-cancer hospital, we see a small aspect of a very large construction project, which extends across the territory. Eighty hospitals, 156 health centres, with a budget of more than 400 million euros and funding from the Recovery Fund, change the face of the infrastructure of primary and secondary and higher health care in our homeland.” “I want to repeat that the work that you see here developing, like many other projects, is funded by the Recovery Fund, the 36 billion euros our government secured after Covid to support the development of the Greek economy, but also the upgrading of critical social infrastructure,” he stressed. And he noted: “I say this because we are three months ahead of the European elections and obviously the key issue in this ballot box that comes is what will be that political force that can claim for the benefit of Greek citizens what they deserve from the European Union.” ‘The upgrading of the NSO’ As the Prime Minister pointed out, the Recovery Fund is only one source of funding for the major health interventions we are making. While he noted that there are other interventions funded by the NSRF 2021-2027, such as the energy upgrading of this hospital. “I also want to stress that our interventions are not limited to upgrading the infrastructure. We place a great deal of emphasis on new digital health services, important recruitments and strengthening the NSO with permanent staff. But also in the preventive examinations, which are also funded by the Recovery Fund, a very ambitious programme, the “Doxiades” Programme, which aims to identify diseases long before patients need to be hospitalized in hospitals such as “Mexas”. Because we know very well that it is especially in cancer that early diagnosis is the one that ultimately saves lives and that is why we are serving this coherent policy with great consistency,” he commented. “I will also repeat once again that upgrading the National Health System and supporting health as a whole in our country was one of our government’s main election commitments. With very much systematicity and despite the difficulties we may encounter, we implement this commitment,” he said. “We rely on all personnel of the National Health System. I want once again – I do it every time I visit any health structure – to thank them, each and every one individually, for all the back they put in Covid’s difficult time. We must not forget that. And I think that they and themselves know that, within the framework of the budgetary possibilities, this government will continue to support our doctors, nurses, our staff, as we have already done with the increase in the allowances we pay for on-calls,” the Prime Minister added. As part of the work at Metaxas there will be a global renovation of the sixth and seventh floors, as well as the level -1, where the Radiation Therapy Unit is located. Among other things, the infrastructure of patient chambers, baths, kitchens, lighting, fire safety and call systems and electrical installations will be reconstructed or replaced. ‘The new ESA’ For his part, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said: “The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is currently implementing the largest program of a new National Health System, extending to the largest building upgrade, through the Recovery Fund, the country’s hospitals and most health centres, the purchase of new medical equipment, again through the Recovery Fund, the energy upgrading of public hospitals through the NSRF and the implementation of reforms and many thousands of staff recruitments that will give the Greek people a new and much better National Health System. We thank the Prime Minister very much.” On his part, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis noted: “One of the milestones of the Recovery Fund is the renovation of 80 hospitals and 156 health centres. Today, here in Metaxas, we are monitoring the development of this renovation, which will be supplemented by an energy upgrade, which will be financed by the NSRF 2021-2027. We continue offering better services to all our fellow citizens.”