The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos visited today, Friday 25 June 2021, the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, to inaugurate new wards at the Nursing Unit 6B.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Chief/HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Charalambos Laloussis, and the benefactor’s daughter, Ms. Athena Tsouni.

Extensive modernization works of the infrastructure and configuration of a ward for people with disabilities, four two-bed wards, sixteen single bed wards and two suites were realised at new Nursing Unit 6B. Every ward is fully equipped with sanitary facilities and modern air conditioning system. The works were completed through the exclusive donation of Major General (hon.) Iakovos Tsounis.

In his address, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos stated the following:

“I am very happy on the occasion of today’s ceremony for the official inauguration of the new nursing unit of the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, which bears the name of the great Greek and major benefactor of the Armed Forces, Major General (Hon.) Iakovos Tsounis.

Welfare for the Armed Forces personnel is a top priority for the Ministry of National Defence, as we have underlined on many occasions; I need to say that, as far as Personnel Welfare is concerned, any action taken in the field of Healthcare is the product and the result of the team effort of both the political and the military leadership, and not the outcome of the personal efforts of myself or anyone else.

For us, the person is a force multiplier for the Hellenic Armed Forces and should be treated with care, not only in pure work-related issues, but also in issues which ensure a high level of life quality, as matters of healthcare.

The 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, as well as all the Hospitals of the Armed Forces, provide a high level of health services, thanks to the interest of the General Staffs, as well as the tireless efforts of their personnel. We need to recognise this, and they are worth it. Both the Political and Military Leadership of the Armed forces pay special attention to the field of Health.

During the current, very demanding, period in particular, when the necessity to respond to the effects of the pandemic had really put to the test the limits of infrastructures and of the healthcare providers. However, in a society there is more than the State and the official Government. It has been proven repeatedly that there is also the private initiative and contribution to the society which gives, in several occasions, critical solutions to urgent problems, supplementing the State.

Therefore, at this point, other than my pleasure, I would also like to express, on behalf of the Armed Forces, our gratitude for the generous donation of the late Major General (hon.) Iakovos Tsounis, which made possible the renovation of the Nursing Unit 6B at the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens we are inaugurating today, with the construction of state-of-the-art installations, as we heard in the Commander’s speech.

The contribution of Major General (hon.) Iakovos Tsounis to the Armed Forces is vast and timeless; his donations critically enhanced the Army’s operational capabilities, significantly assisting the everyday effort to defend national sovereignty. At the same time, through the upgrade of the Military Hospitals’ capabilities, he notably improved the quality of the health services provided to the personnel of the Armed Forces, and their families as well.

The donations and benefactions of eminent patriots to the Armed Forces are made because they know that their offer will be well spent, properly managed and fully utilised. However, I would also like to say that, in the case of Iakovos Tsounis, it was also something more, as Iakovos Tsounis had a real passion and love for the Armed Forces.

I had the honour and pleasure to discover this personally, when I recently met him, and I also later heard it from all of you, yet I think that it was pretty obvious. This is what I learned from this great man, that his love and passion were abundant. Hey may not have had the opportunity to be here today, yet he is certainly happy and content seeing, from up there, the result of his altruistic and remarkable donation.

He was a true patriot, who gave his life, his existence, to the service of his country; for this reason he is – and he will always be, as he will never be forgotten – an example of courage and patriotism for us all.

Today, we see his donation bearing fruit in one more aspect.

Thank you very much for your attention”.

The event was also addressed by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, and the Chief/HNDGS.