The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Fotis Kouvelis, visited on Thursday, 02 August 2018, the 441st Medical Materiel Base Depot, accompanied by the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, and the Special Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence, Kalliope Papaleonida.

The aim of the visit was to be briefed on the work performed by this Unit and the possibilities for the further development of its pharmaceutical laboratories.

The Alternate Minister of National Defence, it his address to the Unit’s military and civilian personnel, stressed, among others, the following:

“Undoubtedly, the work done at the Base Depot is excellent.

The modern mechanical and analytical equipment of the Pharmaceutical Laboratories, in connection with your high level of professionalism and your specialised professional training, results in the manufacture of products which are comparable to those of private pharmaceutical companies, or even better.

The ensuing financial benefit from your productive activities on an annual basis is also equally important and may further increase in the future.
   
We are currently getting over the crisis and 2018 is a decisive year.

This means that we must continue modernising the Armed Forces’ model, bringing it up-to-date and making it more powerful and flexible, prioritising not only armaments, but also our personnel’s education and training.

The Armed Forces, while maintaining their high operational readiness, also contribute to the aforementioned results, together with the rest of the Greek people, who have made a lot of sacrifices.
 
The Armed Forces are also a main source of social contribution. They stand by the Greek citizens with many activities, such as:
 
·         SAR,
 
·         aeromedical evacuations,
 
·         forest fire prevention and firefighting,
 
·         medical support to citizens in border areas,
 
·         blood drives,
 
·         dealing with the consequences of natural disasters,
 
·         construction of small technical projects,
 
·         provision of all kinds of assistance to our fellow citizens in need.
 
The presence of the Armed Forces during the recent forest fires was immediate and decisive, contributing personnel and assets which helped the residents and the firefighting forces; they are still there, contributing to the restoration and providing relief to the fire-stricken.
 
You are well aware that the military hospitals of Attica have been made available to treat citizens affected by the disastrous fires. Thanks to your efforts, the efforts of the military and civilian personnel serving here, we can provide the fire-stricken with medicines and other medical materiel, as necessary, in accordance with the law.

I assure you that the political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, fully aware of the difficulties and problems you are faced with in the performance of your duties, constantly implements multiple actions to improve working conditions.

Within the framework of the co-operation between the Ministry of National Defence and the Region of Attica, actions are in progress for the upgrade of the 441st Medical Materiel Base Depot, gradually leading to an increase of its efficiency and the production of new pharmaceutical products, achieving economics of scale and high future returns”.