“It is not the Ministry of Health’s draft law on blood” on which any reactions have developed, clarifies the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, in his statements to APE – MPE.

Responding to the publications that show the Ministry of Health – with the draft in question – giving it green light for private blood plasma collection centers and blood donors who will be compensated with money for collecting blood plasma, he said verbatim: “There is no draft law of the Ministry of Health on this matter. A draft law that does not belong to the ministry is being circulated on social media and in newspapers.”

However, Adonis Georgiadis, responding to a related question from APE-MBE, added that the Ministry of Health is in discussions on these matters, and has not taken any final decisions. “I make it clear that I do not rule out receiving decisions in this direction, but we still haven’t received it,” he emphasizes.

The draft law, which is said to have been drawn up by the Ministry of Health, has already caused reactions, as it is estimated that it does not take into account the principles of blood donation based on special offer and volunteering and endangers blood safety.

Asked about the reactions caused by the publicity the issue received and whether the safety fears of plasma – which are already being talked about – are valid, he replied: “The reactions come from those who always react. The supposed displeasure of the Commission, which was written on the front page of a newspaper, is almost a joke since it would be unthinkable for the Commission to express objections to something that is allowed by European legislation.”

He also added that “five European countries have already moved in this direction and yes, it is possible that Greece will also go in that direction”.

In a question about her commercialization of blood through the compensation of blood donors, a possibility which raises disagreements from health professionals, scientists and also associations, the Minister of Health replied that “blood donor reimbursement is a tool that has been used for years in the United States of America and is now also used in several European countries.The tendency is for more and more European countries to move in this direction rather than the other way around.

For what reason; Because there is a great shortage of plasma on a global level. So, the voluntary process is not enough for humanity. It is so simple. Since the voluntary process is not sufficient, the various countries are thinking of other solutions”, pointed out Mr. Georgiadis, who hastened to emphasize: “I do not want to prejudge the public debate either in one direction or the other. We’ll look into it, it’s the right answer.”

Asked if the Ministry of Health is obliged to follow a specific policy regarding the disposal of blood plasma, he pointed out that “we have no obligation from anyone. But I have to say to those who raise the issue in general, arguing that blood should only be collected on a voluntary basis, that Greece imports blood and pays for this importation. So it is not only a question of voluntary basis, it is also a question of buying and selling since we import and pay. Well, all the relevant labels they put have the same value as all the relevant leftist ideas. Finally, let them go out into the real world.”

The real world is that Greece imports 200,000 bottles of blood a year and “this is unacceptable”, stressed Mr. Georgiadis and concluded by saying: “We have to find a way not to have to do this. If anyone has an objection or any other proposal to file it in the public debate as it should be. Neither with shouts, nor with accusations.”