ATHENS – Greece’s much criticized healthcare system – doctors applauded for talents but public hospitals lacking even basic equipment in some cases – got a boost with an historic operation that saw the country’s first successful heart-lung transplant.

A 52-year-old woman at Sotiria Hospital received the organs from a 49-year-old female donor, no details what caused it but Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis – in a social media post – said the patient had experienced repeated haemoptysis, coughing up blood.

She was not identified but said to have been under long-term care and specialized treatment at hospitals in Thessaly and Attica.

Georgiadis praised the staff at Sotiria Hospital and noted the surgery was a joint effort  between the heart and lung transplant teams and the anesthesiology team from the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center.

This milestone marks a significant advancement in Greece’s medical capabilities and showcases the progress made in the field of organ transplantation, he said, reported the state’s Athens-Macedonia News Agency AMNA.

The rare surgery is done only when both the heart and lungs have irreversibly failed and both organs have to be transplanted simultaneously but requires finding a suitable donor at the right time.

“Five years ago, this transplant would have been considered unattainable for the Greek health system. We are proud of all our teams and we keep going strong. I wish good recovery to the recipient, warm thanks and gratitude to the donor’s family,” said Georgiadis about the milestone.