On Tuesday, 19 march 2024, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias attended the inauguration ceremony of the “Centre of Expertise on Histiocytosis from Adult Cells”, at the 251 Air Force General Hospital.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Dimitris Keridis, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ionanis Kefalogiannis, the President of the Academy of Athens Stamatios Krimizis, the President of the Association of Patients of Histyocytosis Hellas Apostolos Kontogiannis and the honorary President of the Association, Simos Palios.

On behalf of the military leadership, the ceremony was attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Director of the Medical Directorate of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Antonios Papageorgiou HN, as representative of the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, General Officers of the Armed Forces and honorary Chiefs of Hellenic Air Force General Staff.

In his address Mr Dendias stated:

“I would like to mention some people whom I consider friends, that is Mrs and Mrs Palios, and the Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, the Admiral, whom I just saw from the podium. It is a great joy to see them here.

Of course, I would like to say that it is my great honour to be present at the inauguration ceremony of the Centre of Expertise of Diseases, for rare and haematological diseases, at the 251 Air Force General Hospital. The cutting edge centre for histocytosis. You will allow me to not repeat this long and complicated term, which was unknown to me until a few days ago.

The fact that it is the unique Centre which operates in our country, and as far as I know one of the few worldwide, is especially important. It is especially important for the Air Force General Hospital, Chief, as it is important for the wider society and the Armed Forces.

I would like to say that it is a chance to showcase the double role fulfilled by our country’s Armed Forces, the Air Force in particular. On the one hand the main task of defending the country, but also the daily service to society and Healthcare. As we were landing with the Chief, returning from the Summit in Germany, an Air Force Airplane was taking off, carrying a child to Italy for special treatment. Our Country’s Armed Forces always provide aid, whenever and however they can.

I would like to say however, that the Armed Forces fulfil a role similar to the one fulfilled by doctors and hospitals for each and every one of us individually. They guarantee the survival of the wider society and their country.

One of the main reasons I am here today is not because Mr Palios, Mr Kapetanios and Thanasis Martinos are people I consider friends. It is mainly to underscore the value of example.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish – and I have said it many times – I were a Minister in an Administration, or even a simple civilian of a country with no problems, no threats. However, Hellenism is not such a case.

We live in a region where we have faced and are facing issues of national survival. We are all aware of it. But we cannot resolve them without the total contribution of all forces of Hellenism.

Of course, the main income of the Armed Forces has always been the contribution of the Greek taxpayer. And this is important. I assure you – I know this since I have been signing daily – we need billions in order to keep our armed forces up to date. But we also need the aid of important Greeks who have succeeded and who love their country. We need them at our side, with us, continually.

We are making a huge effort, which we have named “2030 Agenda”. Our country’s Prime Minister, in the latest Cabinet Meeting called it the greatest reform carried out in the Armed Forces since the creation of the Modern Hellenic State.

This reform does not solely concern arms purchases. It is a complete change of mentality. Introduction of innovations, reinforcing local production, and utilisation of the boundless human potential our country has at its disposal here and abroad.

Mr Palios was kind enough to bring me in contact with various professors who will be useful as an overseing committee in this centre of innovation, which will encourage the adoption of innovative solutions in Greece. Change in National Service, change of doctrine, change of everything. To not tire you, I will end where I began, by saying we will not manage to succeed if we don’t constantly have at our side, you will allow me to say with generosity, the important Greeks who have succeeded in life.

I warmly congratulate you and thank you”.