The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades laid the foundation stone of the new wing of the EOKA Fighters' Memorial in Palodia.
In his address at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone, the President of the Republic stated that "it was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to inaugurate the new wing for the rehabilitation of "Hellenes Abroad", the EOKA Fighters' Memorial.
A wing, which will upgrade the high quality services of the Memorial and will contribute greatly to a vitally important area of public health.
Before any other mention, allow me to warmly congratulate the present and successive Boards of Directors, as well as the staff of the Melathros, for the continuous development of the Foundation and their commitment to acts of service to their fellow man and society.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the visionary of the project, a vision that you can rejoice in, my dear Andreas (Angelopoulos), as a result of the contribution of the freedom fighters who, in cooperation with the state, managed to complete it and not only to complete it but also to make it a model institution of giving to fellow human beings, first to the freedom fighters and then to the whole.
I would particularly like to congratulate our compatriots from abroad, who, as can be seen from the honorary naming of the wing, appreciating the complex work carried out in the Melathro, contributed through their generous contributions to its construction and operation.
Undoubtedly, the EOKA Fighters' Memorial, in addition to the Senior Citizens' Home it maintains, a state-of-the-art care, hospitalization and recovery unit, has managed to respond adequately and professionally to the special needs of the patients who choose it.
In this context, the high quality services and the multifaceted work of Melathros, thus increasing its dynamics, are recognized as a significant contribution to the health sector.
It is no coincidence that the state has contributed and contributed, but also, within the framework of the introduction of the GESY, the integration of Melathros, so that those who need hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation in particular, can enjoy the affection of the state through the GESY.
It is no coincidence that the continuous expansion of the cooperation of the institution with the Ministry of Health, but also with the University Institutions of the country in the field of research, as well as the trust shown to it by large centres abroad that choose to cooperate with the EOKA Fighters' Memorial.
As a state, utilizing and wanting to strengthen the prestigious work carried out at the Melathro, we have supported, support and will continue to support its activities in various ways.
In this context, the conclusion of relevant contracts between the State and the Melathro for the referral of patients from the state hospitals, with the Ministry of Health financing, since 2013, dozens of beds used for the stay of patients, with total expenditure up to 2021 amounting to 22 million euros.
At the same time, for the same period, the Melathron received a state grant totalling 550 thousand euros, while additional financial assistance of one million euros was given for the construction of the new wing that we are inaugurating today.
The project that we inaugurate today is the new expression of the offer of the freedom fighters and the staff of the Melathros to the Homeland and it is no coincidence that thousands of our fellow citizens have already benefited from the specialized services it offers.
Through the zeal they have shown in carrying out their mission, Cyprus can be proud of the remarkable contribution of the Melathros in the field of health, as well as its unparalleled social contribution.
At the same time, I would be remiss if I did not express my sincere thanks to the respective Ministers of Health, but also make special mention of the Director General of the Ministry of Health, my friend Mrs Christina Giannakis, who is truly the link between the Melathros and the State. Her work is universally appreciated and I felt the need to mention her more specifically and by name, because it is universally accepted that she does not distinguish herself in the effort of giving and that is the most important thing. Thank you Christina.
I want to reiterate once again, the state was, is and will remain present. We deserve you, we owe it to you, we owe it to those who gave or dedicated their lives for the liberation of the country, they now give with their social contribution the opportunity to our fellow human beings to face problems that the circumstances sometimes require specialization to deal with them."
Subsequently, the President of the Republic was honored by the Melathro for his long-standing support to the Melathro."
Subsequently, the President of the Republic was honored by the Melathro for his long-standing support to the Melathro.
In his brief remarks, President Anastasiades said that it is that "whether as a man or as a representative of the people, what I want you to know is that as long as I breathe, I will be a pillar by your side, as I have been in the past."
(PM/IC)
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