"We feel that our donation today is a responsibility we have toward Greek society. The Eugenides Foundation, while its primary purpose and focus is technical, scientific, and vocational education, it has consistently been present for our country during times of serious difficulties and crises,” said the President of the Eugenides Foundation, Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, in his speech during the ceremony marking the delivery of two ambulances to the Ios Health Center and the Genadion Health Center on Rhodes.
As Mr. Eugenides pointed out, this is not the first time the Foundation has taken such actions. “Such as the quiet and substantial contribution made by Evgenios Eugenides following the Zakynthos earthquakes, or the $3,000,000 donation by Nikolaos Vernikos-Eugenides following the 1999 earthquakes. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have allocated more than 1.5 million euros to direct and indirect initiatives. We have strengthened the fields of education and digital learning by donating tablets to schools, while also ensuring the seamless operation of the Merchant Marine Academies through distance learning. But we didn't stop there. We felt it was our duty to contribute to public health as well, through a program of targeted donations to the “Sotiria,” “Attikon,” and “Paidon” hospitals. We felt that, especially at times like these, we should strengthen our islands and support island life. I’m an islander; I’m from the Cyclades, and I’m very familiar with the problems they face. The donation of an ambulance to Ios is the result of our excellent collaboration with the Ios Health Center, on an island where the population increases twentyfold during the summer months. At the same time, the decisive contribution of the Director of the 2nd Regional Health Authority of Piraeus and the Aegean, Mr. Christos Roilos, who brought to our attention the severe shortage of ambulances in Southern Rhodes, makes us feel that this donation is having a significant impact. We are confident that these actions will bear fruit in a holistic way. I hope your work will continue on the solid foundation that has already been laid. A big thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us the opportunity to carry out these small acts that will help our islands," he concluded.
In total, the Eugenides Foundation made donations totaling more than 1,000,000 euros, of which €594,980.65 was allocated exclusively to the health sector.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Thanos Plevris, the Deputy Minister of Health, Ms. Mina Gagka, the Members of Parliament for the Cyclades, Yannis Vroutsis and Filippos Fortomas, the Mayor of Ios, Mr. Gkikas, the Mayor of Rhodes, Mr. Kambourakis and representatives of the local government attended the event.
"It is moving to be here at a ceremony for the handover and delivery of ambulances. And those of us who live in urban centers may not be able to grasp the significance, Mr. Eugenides, regarding this specific donation, given the unique nature of our islands. Few people in the winter, many people in the summer, so you can never fill all openings of healthcare staff that you need to meet summer demands. Mr. Eugenides, I would like to thank you because the money donated to the National Health System is money that flows back into society. "These are donations whose impact may not be visible in Athens, but they are particularly important to local communities because they are entirely dependent on the rapid transport of patients," emphasized the Minister of Health, Mr. Thanos Plevris.