ECONOMY

Dimitris Spyridis: International recognition a starting point for the day after

Dimitris Spyridis: International recognition a starting point for the day after

ΗΕLLENIC HEALTHCARE GROUP

The unexpected outbreak of the global pandemic, apart from the immeasurable cost in terms of human life and suffering, had a decisive impact on the economies on an international scale. What the pandemic taught us was that by working together and being firm when it comes to decision-making and its subsequent implementation can work miracles.

From the very first day at the Hellenic Healthcare Group, along with the head of CVC in Greece, Mr. Fotiadis, we decided to stand by this huge national effort expended by the Greek State to address the pandemic. We made available equipment, hospital beds and services to the Greek Ministry of Health, and contributed significantly to the rapid rise in ICU beds for the National Health System, by making a large number of ICU beds in our hospitals available to the National Emergency Center Institute (EKAV). We are also proud because the prevention measures we put in place in the Group hospitals, long before the State issued the relevant regulations, contributed substantially in preventing the community spread of the disease, based on the early and – chiefly – safe management of patients presenting with symptoms of the virus. And because every cloud has a silver lining, the crisis pushed every one of us to shift towards digital services. Having invested in partnerships with international digital healthcare service providers for over a year now, our Group completed this digital shift swiftly, launching the Digital Clinic app, an integrated online healthcare services platform, which included services adapted to COVID-19. The exceptional management of this extreme crisis demonstrated that the country has ample reserves and excellent human resources (scientists and professionals) available to help it stand strong and overcome any difficulties effectively. The impressive results in addressing the pandemic, apart from the obvious benefit of protecting human lives and public health, contributed in gaining the invaluable trust of the international community in terms of how Greece successfully managed the crisis. We must all use this unique momentum to our advantage, so as to cope with the just as significant crisis that will surely follow: that of managing the economic impact of the pandemic.

With regard to the private healthcare sector, I am certain that the extremely high level of services provided at our hospitals, coupled with the sense of security created following the successful management of the crisis by the entire healthcare system, will not only assist us in returning to normal conditions fast, but also in attracting international patients. The challenge for us is to communicate to everyone the message that our hospitals combine top-level medical services at competitive rates, within a safe environment.

The sense of security felt by people will play a leading role in these unprecedented times. Having successfully proven its worth, the country will invest in the international recognition of its efforts, using this as a starting point for the day after. The Greek economy has faced many challenges, but has also capitalized on major opportunities. If it proves its credibility, it will have much to gain and will be able to claim a new place within a complex and volatile world.

THE COMPANY AT A GLANCE

The Hellenic Healthcare Group is the largest private healthcare group in Greece. It was established in 2018 with the aim of playing a leading role in the continuous growth of the healthcare industry, and owns six major private hospitals in Greece (Hygeia, Metropolitan Hospital, Mitera, Metropolitan General, Leto and Creta InterClinic).

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