At the handover ceremony of 20 motorcycles and 6 fully equipped ambulances—donated by the Union of Greek Shipowners to strengthen EKAV’s fleet—Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and Deputy Minister Marios Themistocleous were in attendances.

The Health Minister emphasized that the Union of Greek Shipowners has consistently been a cornerstone of support for Greek society through various initiatives. He expressed gratitude for the donation, saying, “I want to send a message to Greek society: Greek shipping shares its success with the Greek people through the National Health System in an extraordinary way. Thousands of our fellow citizens have had their lives saved and their quality of life improved thanks to individuals like you, who represent those who care deeply for their compatriots. This is a great blessing for our nation.”

Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous stated that the donation of 20 motorcycles and 6 ambulances significantly enhances EKAV’s operational capacity, drastically reducing response times, particularly in critical emergencies. “Your contribution is not only material but profoundly human. Every minute saved in an emergency means a life. This is priceless. Thanks to your donation, critical regions like Attica, the islands, and Chalkidiki—where rapid response is vital—are now better equipped. This not only improves our services but also boosts the morale of our responders, who now have the tools to perform their difficult tasks even more effectively,” he added.

Present at the ceremony were EKAV President Nikos Papaefstathiou, Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlou, and board members Yiannis Xylas, Yiannis Lyras, and Dimitris-Frangiskos Sarakakis.

EKAV President Nikos Papaefstathiou highlighted that EKAV is the exclusive operational arm for emergencies and is currently undergoing significant advancements, including hiring auxiliary and permanent staff and upgrading its infrastructure. “At this moment, these 20 state-of-the-art motorcycles strengthen our rapid response team, which is the spearhead of EKAV not only in Athens and Thessaloniki but across all regions,” he stated. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in public health, as such efforts directly benefit citizens.

Union of Greek Shipowners President and SYN-ENOSIS leader Melina Travlou remarked:
“Thank you for your kind words. Greek shipping has a deep and tangible love for our homeland. We listen to the needs of society and often step in without being asked, contributing in many ways, often discreetly. This is ingrained in us, and I am very proud to represent this community of people who are connected to national philanthropy.

It is also important to mention that we have leadership in this country that makes us proud.

Heartfelt thanks to EKAV for the tremendous work you do.

In closing, Travlou expressed gratitude to the family of Anna Angelicoussis and the Hellenic War Risk Association for their support in the donation of the 6 ambulances being delivered. She concluded, “We stand with the men and women of EKAV, and we will continue to do so. This is a way of life for us, and it will never change.”