The Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, attended today, Thursday, June 30, 2022, the event held by the National Public Health Organization (EODY), to mark the completion of two years of Mobile Health Teams (MOHY) actions, within the framework of the Action “Creation of a network of nurses for the collection of samples of biological material and nursing help for suspected cases of coronavirus at home”, in the Amphitheater of the Acropolis Museum.

The Deputy Minister of National Defense, in his greeting, stated the following:

“It is a special honor for me to be present at today’s event. I’m especially happy to meet old good friends and colleagues again in the difficult, unknown, unspeakable times of a crisis that seemed so far away and which developed into an absolute daily life’s bet for many of us. And I am glad that, although he is not here, I remember among so many good friends today also Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, the man with whom we worked every day and whom I consider now not only the former co-combatant against the invisible enemy COVID-19, which we managed together as members of a tireless team, but also a true friend.

Let me say that we are the two people (along with our staffs, of course) who perhaps learned first and therefore know better than anyone else the importance that the Mobile Health Teams had – and still have, and will continue to have – the known to all of us COMMY, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in our country.

It is proven to be one of the best tools we have for detecting and controlling potential cases, thereby maximizing the level of protection for vulnerable groups and other high-risk populations. In this sense, their effectiveness is a practical proof that our state, overcoming chronic dysfunctions, is now able to organize reliable structures and mechanisms for crisis management in a short period of time, when at the helm is a government with a high sense of responsibility, social sensitivity and a clear perception of the gravity of the situation. It is important to point out that the great success was that the virus did not manage to achieve a, allow me the expression, “strategic surprise” in our country, as it did in many other areas of the planet. And that meant something simple but important! Lives were saved!

Dear guests, the corona virus and not only, forces us to form a new understanding of the concept of health crises.

We found in practice, in a painful way, that an infectious disease can drastically affect all aspects of private as well as public life, reaching the point of becoming the final regulator of social, economic and political developments on a global level.

Therefore, our preparation for the next, similar emergency must be done on an interdisciplinary and interministerial basis. The Armed Forces, which played a pivotal role in the fight against the pandemic, have long adjusted their planning, now treating the possibility of a pandemic as a potential threat to national security.

Ladies and gentlemen, the women and men of the Mobile Health Teams, in these two years of operation of the institution, are constantly at the front line of the battle against the deadly virus, sparing no effort and time and often endangering their own safety, in favor of society. The country owes you a lot. I urge you to continue with even more zeal on this path of success and selfless contribution to the citizenry.

And be sure that the State will always support you in your efforts. I am – we are proud of you!

Thank you».

The Minister of Health, Mr. Athanasios Pleuristhe Deputy Minister of Health Ms. Silver Gagathe Deputy Minister responsible for Mental Health Matters, Ms. Zoe Rapti, the Special Secretary for European Social Fund Program Management of the Ministry of Development & Investments m. Victory of Dandolo and the President of the Hellenic Patient Association, Mr. Nikolaos Dedes.

The Chairman of the Board of EODY Mr. Theoklis Zaoutis and the Head of the Organization’s Preparedness and Response Directorate Mr. Spyros Sapounas, presented the work of the Mobile Health Teams, while the event was coordinated by the journalist Mrs. Alexandra Kaymenou.

Also present were the General Secretaries of Primary Health Care, Mr. Marios Themistocleous and Civil Protection Lieutenant General P.S. e.a. Vasilios Papageorgiou as the representative of the Minister of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection and the President of the National Center for Immediate Assistance Mr. Nikolaos Papaefstathiou.