The Ministry of Health and the Organization "Τhe Smile of the Child" renewed their cooperation with an updated Cooperation Agreement

PRESS RELEASE

Athens, 24 Novemder 2021

The Ministry of Health and the Organization "Τhe Smile of the Child" renewed their cooperation with an updated Cooperation Agreement

A Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Organization "The Smile of the Child" was undersigned on Wednesday 24 November 2021. The Minister of Health, Mr. Athanasios Plevris, and the President of the Board of the Organization "The Smile of the Child", Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, met at the headquarter of the Organization and extended the so far excellent cooperation by undersigning an updated cooperation agreement,  to expand the frequency and scope of the joint actions, aiming to provide holistic coverage for the medical needs of children in the country, as well as the free provision of a wide spectrum of services.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Athanasios Plevris, visited the new “Panhellenic Medical Emergency & Social Interaction Coordination Center - ANDREAS YANNOPOULOS”, situated at Agia Paraskevi. The Minister was welcomed by the President of the Organization "The Smile of the Child", Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, together with the coordinators of of the Organization, namely of the Operational Center for Missing and Children Victims of Exploitation, the Medical Dept., the International Projects Dept. and the Social Services Dept.

Both sides mutually agreed to launch a joint effort, to utilize the specialized actions and know-how of the Organization in the critical and sensitive health sector, with the aim of providing services of prevention, intervention and treatment to children and families with health problems. At the same time, they committed to mutually support each other in the planning of joint programs to fulfill the agreed purposes.

Τhe Minister of Health, Mr. Athanasios Plevris, commented: "I am pleased that two months after our meeting, during which we discussed to lay the foundations and cooperate in new future projects, today we are updating the cooperation between the Ministry of Health and “The Smile of the Child". My intention was to avoid to follow a typical procedure in the Ministry today, and preferred to visit your premises, since here is where the heart of the Organization beats. In addition to my commitment to the memorandum that includes a variety of initiatives, I would like to assure you that I will do everything possible from my position, like many other ministers did, since this has been a longstanding cooperation with fruitful results. In fact, the Ministry of Health and the Welfare Sector of the Ministry of Labor, constitute an "umbrella" for all bodies, regardless of their form, that operate in this field and contribute to the social welfare. From our side, we will provide all support needed.

Mr. Costas Yannopoulos thanked the Minister warmheartedly and stated: "Today's update of our cooperation with the Ministry of Health is a special and very important moment, both for our Organization and for thousands of children with health problems. I feel very grateful for the opportunity given to us to unite our forces in essence, taking joint action to stand by even more children. For 25+1 years now, we have supported holistically and in a personalized way 268.979 children and their families with health services, nationwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, working together, and always in collaboration with the institutions. Every day, let alone these critical days of the pandemic, we serve the National Health System, setting the logistical equipment, as well as the scientific expertise of our staff at their disposal, so that all children gain access to health".

More photos can be found at the following link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiRacRKrraYepzfm6

For more information please contact:
"The Smile of the Child"
Tel. +30 210 3306140
press@hamogelo.gr