ATHENS – Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Health Minister Thanos Plevris presented on Wednesday the donations collected since last April in the special account for the repayment of extraordinary expenditures for the treatment of Covid-19 disease.

The presentation was attended by representatives of organizations that will be supported by donations to implement actions to prevent and address the pandemic and its effects.

“We are working, all together, state, companies, institutions and citizens, with solidarity and cohesion, so that we can face the challenges and difficulties. Hand in hand, public, private sector and civil society, we will get the society out of the difficult situation,” Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said.

As the minister pointed out, “in this critical effort, no one is left out. In the climate of global uncertainty that was – inevitably – created by the unprecedented health crisis, the government’s initiative aimed to highlight the importance of national unity and solidarity, as a guide to address the challenges our country is facing.”

Staikouras thanked the more than 450 citizens and companies that responded to the call for offer and proved that the Greeks are actively present in the battle, united and in solidarity. He concluded by saying that “the resources they have allocated return to society, cover important needs, are utilized with social sensitivity, transparency, efficiency and respect.”

On his part, Health Minister Thanos Plevris spoke about the government’s initiative that it was time to return to society itself. Plevris pointed out that during this period the national health system was strengthened with 12,000 employees on fixed-term contract, 2,000 permanent staff and 700 ICU beds to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Next to this effort, there are synergies from the private sector but also the offers of the citizens, the minister stressed.

The four actions focusing on the health sector are the following:

1st Action: 1,230,000 euros will be allocated for the supply of 17 ambulances.

2nd Action: 395,926 euros will be allocated to programmes implemented by “The Smile of the Child”.

3rd Action: 104,250 euros will be allocated to the “Doctors of the World”, for programmes lasting 6 months.

4th Action: 151,000 euros will be allocated to cover the accommodation, travel and overtime compensation of nursing staff of the Hellenic Red Cross.