As part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s (SNF) Global Health Initiative (GHI) and following the recent signing of an agreement with the AVAX construction group, construction on the three new SNF public hospitals in Greece—the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the new SNF General Hospital of Komotini and the new SNF General Hospital of Sparta —is expected to start soon. In light of these developments and in the spirit of the transparent, regular, and two-way communication SNF seeks with local communities in these three cities, the Foundation organized a series of open discussions with representatives from SNF, the Ministry of Health, the general contractor, and Project Manager Hill International.
During the discussions, SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos welcomed attendees and talked about the Foundation’s multidimensional grantmaking activity from its inception in 1996 through today. He discussed the importance to SNF and scope of the GHI, at the heart of which is the creation of the three new hospitals in Greece.
“We are delighted to be meeting with you once again in person, ahead of the much-awaited start of the construction of the three new hospitals in Thessaloniki, Komotini, and Sparta. These projects belong to society, to you, and that is why we strive to keep you informed and involved at every stage of their implementation, from start to finish in three years from now. Our open discussions with the local communities of the three regions are an integral part of the project development process, contributing significantly to the effort by SNF, in collaboration with the Greek state, to deliver three state-of-the-art, fully equipped, environmentally conscious hospitals that will set the standard internationally.”
“It is in these spaces that the foundations are being set down for things that you would describe as great, emblematic, valuable,” said Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistocleous. “Three new state-of-the-art hospitals, developed under SNF's Global Health Initiative, are set to upgrade the country’s health care landscape. The Pediatric University Hospital in Filyro, Thessaloniki, the new General Hospital of Komotini, and the General Hospital of Sparta are hospitals adhering to international standards, with state-of-the-art medical equipment and exclusive single and double rooms, designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly. We are now counting the days leading up to their construction. The next few days will mark the start of the excavation works for the new General Hospital of Komotini, and early 2024 for the Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki. They will be completed by November 2026. I would like to thank the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and especially the Co-President of the Foundation, Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos, for his multilayered contribution to health through SNF’s outstanding grants. These grants will upgrade the National Healthcare System and improve the services provided to all citizens, especially in Northern Greece.”
“True to our Group’s tradition of substantial cooperation with the local people in the communities where we carry out projects, we are pleased to participate in the relevant initiatives of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation,” said AVAX GROUP Executive Director Antonis Mitzalis. “Providing timely and accurate information to citizens can only benefit the progress of a project.”
Public attendance and participation at the events was particularly encouraging, and discussion focused on issues related to the preparatory activities and the progress of the work for the construction, outfitting, and development of the hospitals, including issues related to construction innovations and accompanying infrastructure projects under the responsibility of the Greek state, as well as the planning for staffing the hospitals with all anticipated personnel.
At the same time, local stakeholders and members of the community raised specific questions and expressed their impatience for the projects to come to fruition, committing themselves to contribute to their smooth implementation.
