The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos visited the 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies at Penteli, where he inaugurated the project of modernisation and upgrading of two wings in the Hospital: the Joint Centre of Psychological Support of the Armed Forces and the Joint Centre of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Armed Forces. The project was constructed by the apposite services of the Hellenic Army general Staff.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Panagiotis Karambelas, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Konstantinos Gkinis and the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis.

The event was also attended by the Mayor of Penteli Mr. Dimitrios Stergiou and the venerable Bishop of Thermopylae Mr. Ioannis.

The Minister of National Defence, after inaugurating the wings of the Hospital, he visited the Joint Centre of Psychological Support of the Armed Forces and specifically the wards of Prevention, Treatment-Rehabilitation, Education-Research-Mental Health, as well as the Joint Centre of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Armed Forces and specifically the hall of Natural Means and Treatments, the laboratory of Electrophysiological Research, the laboratory of Plantogram and Walking Analysis, the department of Hydrotherapy, the Clinic of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation and the gym , and discussed with the medical and nursing staff.

Afterwards, he visited the Psychological Support call centre, where a hot line for psychological support, via which the people interested have the opportunity to contact confidentially and ask for help by specialised personnel. At the same time, Greek citizens from the most remote areas, the islands, borderline Greece, can use the services of the Psychological Support call centre and the Centre of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation.

After the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Panagiotopoulos made the following statement:

“In order for us to be able to overcome the crisis and stand on our feet, we need to strengthen the structures and procedures of social protection.

Here, at Penteli, in the 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies, we inaugurated along with the Deputy Minister of Mr. Karambelas, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff and other staff officers, the modernised wings of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as the Centre of Psychological Support of the Armed Forces.

They are two infrastructures very decisive and important which can offer services at a broad spectrum, in the Armed Forces and not only. For example, simple Greek citizens from borderline Greece, from our islands, men and women can be found needing our services, so that they can find their feet and return healthy to their islands and villages.

I would like to congratulate the personnel of all branches, since here we refer to an achievement of jointness in the Armed Forces. I congratulate you all, from the leadership to the personnel with the lowest grade, because you have worked with conscience and vision, in order for us today to inaugurate these brilliant installations.

Once more, during hard times, amidst the financial crisis, the Armed Forces with their scientific level and vision show that they can stand at the frontline and offer to the Greek people.

Congratulations to everyone who helped complete this project”.