On Thursday 8 October 2020, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis participated in the 4th Global GeNeDis Conference (Geriatrics and Neurodegenerative Diseases) regarding Genetics, Geriatrics and the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence addressed the members of the global scientific community and the participants of the conference, stating the following:
“First, I would like to express my thanks to the Scientific Committee for the honour of giving me the opportunity to address the 4th Global Conference regarding Genetics, Geriatrics and Research in the field of Neurodegenerative Diseases.
I would also like to congratulate the Lab of Bio-informatics and Human Electrophysiology of the Informatics Department of the Ionian University, which, in cooperation with the Institute of Technology and Research in Crete, presented one of the current challenges of the global scientific community, as a subject under consideration in this conference: “The health in aging and mental wellness of the general population in the new digital era we live in”.
It is a fact that the population’s aging, as a demographic phenomenon of the last decades, affects not only the quality of the provided health and social care services, but the fields of economy and social growth as well, and the welfare of the people.
It is a moral principle for every developed state to ensure good physical and mental health for all citizens, especially for the sensitive population of old people.
In a period during which humanity suffers from a series of crises in multiple levels-medical, financial, environmental crisis, and crisis regarding values as well-the people’s union of hearts constitutes an antidote regarding the universal discords of our times.
The Armed Forces, a fundamental guardian of the national security and defence, are constantly in an alert state and in full coordination with the state mechanism, strictly abiding by the Political Leadership’s guidelines.
It is known that apart from their defensive role, the Armed Forces are characterised by the anthropocentric nature of their actions, regarding social care and contribution.
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of National Defence issued recently guidelines for the mapping out of a uniform Medical Policy in the Armed Forces, emphasising the qualitative care of the sensitive populations and especially the good living conditions of our elderly fellow citizens.
In this context, collective actions have been undertaken for the benefit of the elderly, regarding not only retired Army Officers and NCOs, but the elderly of the general population.
Without doubt, the solid Public Health Sector reflects the level of the cultural refinement of a state, a mission in which the Ministry of National Defence actively participates.
The Armed Forces send an optimistic message to all citizens, through the high morale of their members and the devotion to their mission.
Finally, I wish good luck to all those who made presentations and keep up with your innovative and valuable scientific work”.
The Conference’s subject is the Health in Aging and the Mental Wellness in the New Digital Era and is under the auspices of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic. It is organised by the Ionian University, in cooperation with the Institute of Technology and Research, it is supported by the Region of Crete and it will last from Thursday 8 until Sunday 11 October 2020.
