The organization and operation of a National Trauma Systemwhich includes the recommendation initially 16 Hospital Trauma Centerspresented during the Cabinet meeting, by the Minister of Health, Michalis Chrysochoidis.

As the Minister of Health pointed out, traffic accidents are the first most frequent cause of trauma in people aged 18 to 55 years and the most frequent cause of disability, while they are the main cause of death in the ages of 15-29 years. In the three years 2021-2023 alone, 1,843 of our fellow citizens lost their lives on the Greek roads and 1,764 live with an accompanying disability, which mainly concerns the motor functions, but also the cognitive or emotional higher functions of the brain.

He also underlined the need for rapid transport of the injured from the scene of the incident to the appropriate nursing formation and in the shortest possible time, as well as the provision of immediate medical care, proportional to the type of wound, as it is directly linked, as he said, to high levels morbidity, mortality, disability, psychosocial impacts and costs.

The operation of the National Trauma System aims at this goal, which includes: a) the establishment of Trauma Centers in each Hospital of the National Health System (NTS), b) their operation and reorganization with special interdisciplinary staffing and equipment, c) the upgrading the existing structures, d) the education-training of the involved human resources and above all e) the partnership with competent agencies, in order to achieve the rapid transport of the injured/patient.

Trauma Centers are the cornerstones of improving the overall management of the injured/patient and have proven in every health system where they have been implemented their ability to reduce mortality, achieve reversibility of damage and ultimately mitigate the emotional and financial costs for those wounded-patients, their families and the State.

With the creation of a National Trauma System, consisting of 16 Level I Trauma Centers, Greece’s needs will be met, from emergency pre-hospital care to in-hospital care and rehabilitation, resulting in the creation of an overall modern health system. In all the structures that have already joined the National Trauma System, a technical inspection and redesign, where necessary, of the Resuscitation Rooms within the Emergency Departments, so that they become fully functional and efficient Trauma Centers, is carried out.

“Trauma Centers and resuscitation units offer immediate treatment of trauma and create hope for full recovery, reversibility of damage and ultimately a second chance at life. By establishing a framework for a National Trauma System, a clear message is sent: Greece is committed to providing the highest level of care and concern to its people and creates a stable climate of trust. This commitment will not only save lives, but also enhance the overall well-being of our population. By introducing a unified and National Trauma System, we reduce disability, death and pain for countless injured people, mainly road traffic victims and their families”, concluded Michalis Chrysochoidis.

The funding for the establishment of the 16 Trauma Centers comes from the TAA and in particular the action 16795 which concerns the “Renovation and Modernization of Hospitals” and which includes the modernization of 55 TEP.