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- Ελληνικά
The memory of pediatrician Amérikos Argyriou, who dedicated his life to children with mental retardation, was honored last week by the two institutions he created, the Theotokos Foundation and the Center for Preventive Pediatrics, which now bear his name.
A statement from the Centre for Preventive Paediatrics said that "Cyprus owes both the radical change in the treatment of children with mental retardation and the institutionalisation of screening programmes to Dr Amerikos Argyriou".
"His action, his inexhaustible commitment to the goal and his strong personality were the driving force behind everything he achieved and offered to the local community," it adds.
Through the Theotokos Foundation, the statement continues, Doctor Argyriou gave hope of life and dignity to people with mental retardation and their families, while "he, an irrepressible visionary, in the process created and consolidated the Centre for Preventive Paediatrics".
The event took place on 17 February at the Pattichio Municipal Theatre of Limassol, with the participation of Stefanos Korkolis and the accompaniment of Sofia Manousaki, where works by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis were performed.
During the event, the son of the late doctor and President of the "Amerikos Argyriou" Centre for Preventive Paediatrics, Dr. Argyris Argyriou, addressed the event, noting that his father "did everything he did because he loved giving and was identified with it since he found the meaning of life by giving to his fellow man".
Moreover, the President of the Theotokos Foundation "Amerikos Argyriou", Alekos Orundiotis, said in his speech that "for everyone, Doctor Amerikos Argyriou was the father, the guide, the advisor, the protector, the one who was ready to offer everything for his fellow man".
"He was the man who, when shortly before 1969 he was made aware of the enormous problem of mental retardation by a desperate father, who had a child with mental retardation, and decided to fight with all his strength for all these children to have a better life, a decent place to live, medical treatment and care and above all love," he added.
The event was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades and was supported by the Limassol Municipality.
Source: KYPE
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