The new Minister of Health, Michalis Chrysochoidis, presented his vision for the reformed NHS today during his inauguration ceremony. Receiving from the acting minister Professor Anastasia Kotanidou, he emphasized that for him it is “the highest honor and great responsibility to be entrusted with the Ministry of Health by Prime Minister Kyriaki Mitsotakis.

The prime minister in all his speeches highlighted the issue of public health, the new health minister continued, stressing that health “is the biggest bet in our second term”.

High quality services for all citizens, regardless of their income, is our goal in this new term, he added and mentioned that citizens are prioritized, from their access, early diagnosis and treatment. Reorganization of hospitals is also among the priorities. “With stubbornness, dedication and hard work, we will serve the most precious good of man, health”, he said, pointing out that “my allies have always been the people, together with the workers we will re-found ESY”.

The new minister pointed out, however, that “many critical issues in the field of Health remain unresolved”, talking about the waits in the surgeries and the delays in the emergency room.

The goal, as he said, is the reduction of social inequalities and the coherence of the system “which is a priority for us”. Unfortunately, the pandemic tested the NHS, its potential was highlighted but its weaknesses were also shown, explained M. Chrysochoidis, adding that today the costs for the NHS reach 5.2 billion euros. As he said, 80 hospitals and 156 health centers will be upgraded through the recovery fund, 10,000 recruitments of mainly nursing staff and expansion of the preventive examination program “Prevention must concern everyone, wherever they are, done electronically and at no cost to the citizens”, he said .

He also talked about upgrading EKAB and safer, faster transport with new aerial means.

The new minister referred with flattering words both to the new deputy minister Irini Agapidakis who was absent, as she developed covid, and to the deputy minister Marios Themiatokleous, revealing that he will take over the hospital treatment. He also made special mention of the mental health sector and the new deputy minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos.

“We will all move forward together as workers and leaders because only together can we succeed” he concluded.