With the main goal of faster response to citizens’ callsby specialized and well-trained ambulance crews, the Ambulance is completely remodeled, according to international standards, in the context of the planned new NHS.

The relevant plan of the Ministry of Health was presented to today’s Council of Ministerswhere he received approval, the Minister of Health, Michalis Chrysochoidis and the deputy minister, Marios Themistocleous.

“After 40 years since its establishment, EKAB is being modernized and adapted to the needs of citizens and the requirements of the new era” emphasized Mr. Chrysochoidis during his intervention in the cabinet. He also added that with the planned changes, Greece will cover the gap found in the operation of the EKAB in relation to the international average.

One of the important intersections that will be brought about by modernization of the EKAV is its connection with hospitals and Emergency Departments so that the medical staff is ready to respond to incidents.

Equally crucial is the faster call response (from 7 to 10 minutes), as well as the longer one coverage of the entire country by vehicles of EKAB (1 ambulance per 20,000 citizens, while now it is 1 per 36,000 citizens).

The interventions of the Ministry of Health move along 5 axes, as stated in its announcement:

“1. Reinforcement with Personnel

– Eight hundred new permanent ambulance crew hires.

– Immediate recruitment of auxiliary staff. We have already proceeded with the recruitment of 111 crews in Athens and another 150 positions will be announced in the territory in the coming days.

2. Staff Training

In order to improve the quality of EKAB’s services, it will become mandatory to attend educational programs.

– Program 1 – Prehospital Trauma Life Support (Seminars on dealing with trauma for rescuers, nurses and doctors donated by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation)

– Program 2 – Skills Training Program for all EKAB Staff

3. Digital Upgrade

The complete digital upgrade of the Organization’s systems has been launched, while strengthening the operational and supervision framework.

In particular, our goal is the supply of new systems regarding the recording and management of incidents, categorization of their criticality as well as the routing of ambulances. Also, the creation of a “Control Tower” that will enable the image in real time and will give the possibility of immediate intervention.

4. Vehicle Fleet Upgrade

Regarding the operational fleet of EKAB, our goal is to renew the Vehicle Fleet with the supply of new ambulances over a period of 2 years.

At the same time, there is a plan to modernize the existing fleet of vehicles and optimize their maintenance process.

5. Changing the model of air freight – Organization of primary air freight

Creation of additional air transport bases in the country as an extension of the “Hermes Theocharopoulos” plan and training of staff in carrying out primary transports, which means that the EMS will have the ability to receive emergency cases from the scene of the incident and transport them directly to the hospital, saving time transport which is a critical factor in saving human life”.