It was June 1990 when the northern Greek entrepreneurs, brothers Nikolaos and Leonidas Papageorgiou, rushed to the Maximos Mansion and announced to then-Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis their donation of $30 million to the state for the construction of a large modern hospital in Western Thessaloniki. The meeting, of course, went splendidly, but it also held a surprise for the donors from Mitsotakis: “Gentlemen, if you want to see it completed, enjoy it, and take pride in it, then build it yourselves,” he told them.

They listened and decided to proceed, realizing that despite the challenges of the project they envisioned, they would have a Prime Minister who was as sincere as he was determined to support them. This meeting gave birth to a great hospital. As Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned many years later, in his eulogy for Nikolaos Papageorgiou in July 2022, “My father knew well the Greek shortcomings and the limited capacity of public funds. His conversation partner understood this and took on the responsibility of getting personally involved in realizing his dream.”

The government at the time ensured unprecedented procedures for the rapid licensing, construction, and supply of equipment. The foundation stone was laid in September 1993 by Konstantinos Mitsotakis. The construction was completed in 1997 despite an unprecedented campaign against Papageorgiou from interests opposing the creation of the hospital, as well as from the state itself.

In fact, the hospital has been operating since August 1999 as a non-profit legal entity, fully integrated into the National Health System (NHS), and has since become the flagship of the healthcare system in Northern Greece. The Papageorgiou Foundation continues to provide financial support.

The Story
The case of Papageorgiou Hospital is not the exception but the rule in the history of the healthcare system since the creation of the modern Greek state. The construction and operation of many hospitals, particularly in Athens, have relied on the contributions of private individuals in the form of donations and all kinds of tangible assistance.
This is understandable for the initially impoverished Greek state, which, lacking basic organization and sufficient resources, was unable to prioritize financing costly healthcare structures. Inevitably, three out of four hospitals in Athens have been built and maintained (up to a point) thanks to private contributions.

Without the Ladies’ Associations, which raised money from the pockets of their husbands as well as other wealthy Athenians in the late 19th century, it is doubtful whether hospitals like “Evangelismos,” “Sotiria,” and many others would have existed. The establishment of the aforementioned hospitals, as well as Aretaeus, Asclepius, Andreas Syggros, and the Children’s Hospital “Agia Sofia,” is owed to the land donated by the Monastery of Petrachi.

Donors such as Aiginitis, Aretaeus, Dromokaites, Tzannis, and the Sismanoglou brothers marked the beginning of the creation of the eponymous hospitals. Andreas Syggros contributed to many more, and this pattern was repeated in later years with the donations of Metaxas, Perroni-Konstantopoulou, and Papageorgiou. The Hellenic Red Cross supported Korgialeneio-Benakeio and Asclepius, while the AHEPA members supported the eponymous university hospital in Thessaloniki, as well as “Evangelismos.” The list is inexhaustible.

But even today, although state funding for public health has increased dramatically, private contributions continue to open new possibilities, supporting the National Health System. No one overlooks, on the contrary, that the 2025 Budget includes provisions of 3.1 billion euros for the 126 public hospitals of the NHS, a sum double that of 2019. With an additional 0.5 billion for building renovations and 100 million for the procurement of medical technology equipment. The expenses are, in fact, enormous, but they are still not enough.

That is why, at the same time, the “mirror” of the new era for the healthcare system is about to be adorned with new hospital units. These are being built and will be fully equipped with funds from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Specifically, the General Hospitals of Sparta and Komotini and the Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, with a total budget of approximately 0.5 billion euros. An additional burden that the state budget cannot easily bear. The SNF is also proceeding with the design, construction, and equipping of two new buildings at Attikon, which will be completed in 2026.

Similarly, continuous donations are being made to support the operation of the NHS from other great foundations such as the Onassis Foundation, the families Latsis, Martinou, Vardinogiannis, and many other important entrepreneurs. Even the humble contribution of ordinary people who express their concern by donating, for example, their life savings for the donation of an ambulance.

The Hospitals of Athens
Behind the sometimes dramatically renovated, sometimes gloomy, and perhaps even unattractive buildings of Athens’ public hospitals, which have been in operation for many decades, with some exceptions, lie impressive, revolutionary, or even completely simple stories. With protagonists who are either well-known or unknown to the general public, figures and institutions that played a pivotal role in their construction and operation. They served to secure the most valuable human and social good: health. Valuable information is recorded in the special edition of EINAΠ from 2005, as well as by Political Science Professor Maria Korasidou.

“Evangelismos”
The Ladies’ Association for Women’s Education was established by 62 women in 1872, with the aim of educating nurse sisters. With the moral and material support of Queen Olga, the Hospital Education Center was founded in 1875 for their nursing training, while the creation of a hospital center was decided to support its operation.

The Monastery of Petrachi offered the land for the construction. By Royal Decree, the establishment of the “Evangelismos” hospital as a charitable institution was approved, and on March 25, 1881, King George I laid the foundation stone.

Exactly three years later, the hospital was inaugurated. Its official operation began on April 16, 1884, under the Ladies’ Board of Trustees, with Iphigenia Syggros as president. Thanks to a donation from Andreas Syggros, the House of Sisters was completed in 1898. This marked the beginning of the glorious history of “Evangelismos,” which would evolve into the largest hospital in the Balkans.

Much later, in 1950, the new seven-story AHEPA Wing building was constructed in honor of the American expatriates who donated 630,000 dollars for its completion. In 1964, it was expanded with the addition of two more floors and an attic. Then, in 1975, shipowner Ioannis Diamantis Patera donated 5 million dollars for the construction of a new three-story wing, which was completed with state funding. On July 18, 1977, the Ioannis Diamantis Patera Wing was inaugurated.

“ANDREAS SYGGROS”
The dermatology hospital was initially called the Contagious Diseases Treatment Facility and later the Hospital for Venereal Diseases (1884-1885). It was set up successively in various buildings. Andreas Syggros, upon realizing the terrible conditions of its operation, decided to fund the construction of a new hospital specialized in these particular diseases.

The “Andreas Syggros” Hospital and the national benefactor

In addition to the initial funding, he left an additional significant sum through his will in 1899 for this purpose. The Monastery of Petrachi donated the land to the State in 1907, located on the left bank of the Ilissos River. In 1909, the first specialized Hospital for Venereal and Dermatological Diseases was established by law under the name “Andreas Syggros Hospital.” Its operation began on January 4, 1910, and it was the only one in Europe, regarded as the most advanced in the world.

AIGINITIO
The Aiginiteio, located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, was built using 200,000 drachmas from the estate of the prominent doctor Dionysios Aiginitis. It was founded in 1900 and began operation on March 13, 1905. Its first patients were mainly treated for neurological and psychiatric issues. Since then, it has been the cornerstone of Greek neuropsychiatric science.

The Aiginiteio and Dionysios Aiginitis

The great benefactor was born just before the 1821 Revolution in Aegina. His real surname was Chatzis, and he later adopted Aiginitis. He attended courses in Medical Surgery in Athens and studied at the Universities of Vienna and Berlin, where he earned his doctorate in 1848. An exceptional academic teacher, he gained enormous fame as a doctor. In 1849, he became an assistant professor of Pathological Anatomy at the University of Athens, and in 1862, he was appointed full professor of Special Pathology and Therapeutics. On April 4, 1884, he resigned due to health reasons and passed away on October 31.

ARETAEIO
Directly next to the Aiginiteio, the Aretaeio was founded with the use of a 1-million-drachma endowment left by the prominent professor of Medicine, Theodoros Konstantinidis-Areteios, and his wife Eleni to the University of Athens for the establishment of a surgical and gynecological hospital. It was founded in 1894 on land donated by the Monastery of Petrachi. On August 16, 1898, it officially opened its doors and initially operated only as a surgical clinic.

Aretaeio Hospital

Born in Nafplio in 1829, Theodoros Areteios was also the author of many medical writings. Orphaned by his father and facing financial difficulties, he began his studies at the University of Athens and, with the help of King Otto, completed them in Berlin in 1853. He returned to Athens in 1856 and was appointed to the Urban Clinic. Later, he became assistant professor of Surgery and Bandaging at the University of Athens (1863), and an extraordinary and full professor of Surgery (1864 and 1870) and rector (1879-1880).

Dromokaiteio
The Dromokaiteio Asylum of Zorzi and Tarsis Dromokaitis was established in 1887 through a donation of 500,000 French francs by Zorzi Dromokaitis, as stipulated in his will. In 1887, four nursing departments were created in Haidari. For many years, Dromokaiteio was one of the few state facilities for psychiatric illnesses. It was later supported by other benefactors such as Andreas Syggros, Konstantinos Sevastopoulos, and others. Zorzi Dromokaitis was born on Chios in 1805. During the destruction of the island in 1822, he was captured and almost sold as a slave, but his uncle, Michail Agelastos, found and bought him. He gathered a small fortune and started trading in Egypt, Syria, and later Madagascar, which brought him great profits.

Dromokaiteio and Zorzi Dromokaitis

Tarsis’ wife later fell gravely ill, and the couple returned to Chios. Tarsis passed away, and Dromokaitis never remarried, dedicating himself to trade and philanthropy, even donating 40,000 French francs to the “Evangelismos” hospital.

Municipal – “Elpis”
The first public hospital of Athens was “Elpis,” a pillar of medical care for Athenians and also a center for educating students at the Medical School. The first mayor of Athens, Dr. Anargyros Petrakis, in 1836 requested help from philanthropists to establish a public hospital “for the poor.” King Otto, the father of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the Duchess of Placentia, Alexandros Mavrokordatos, and Rallou Mourouzi were the first donors. It was founded on May 20, 1836, the birthday of Otto. Construction was completed in 1841.

It first opened in 1842 in the building at the junction of Akadimias and Asklipiou streets, where today the Athens Municipal Cultural Center operates. The management and financial control belonged to the state, but the municipality also participated. Its first name was Political Hospital, and it later became Municipal Hospital “Elpis.”

Due to increasing needs, during the mayoralty of Spyridon Merkouris, it was decided to relocate to Ampelokipi. On June 28, 1904, the cornerstone was laid on land owned by the municipality, which covered the costs of design and construction. However, due to financial difficulties, it was delivered incomplete to the Hellenic Red Cross in 1912. Later, it functioned as a military hospital and in 1922 as a refugee hospital. It remained a municipal hospital and in 1983 was integrated into the NHS (National Health System).

Tzannio
It was founded in 1864 following a donation from merchant Nikitas Tzannis or Tzanne. It began operating in 1873 as an “Aghion” (Brotherhood) to provide free care to the residents of Piraeus and to treat poor patients. According to Dr. St. Magiatis, Tzannis was born in 1801 on the island of Kythera, and at the age of 15, he left for Smyrna where he engaged in trade. His business went very well, as he developed an important transit trade of grain with Russia and Egypt. He married Eleni Alatatzis in Smyrna.

Tzannio General Hospital of Piraeus

After Greece’s liberation from the Turkish yoke, he settled in Piraeus, where in 1854, he transferred his businesses. He was an active philanthropist and left in his will a donation of 45,000 gold drachmas to establish a hospital in Piraeus. This was done, and it became the first hospital in the area.

General Hospital of Nikaia “Agios Panteleimon”
After the Asia Minor Catastrophe, due to the accumulation of thousands of refugees around Piraeus, with the initiative of the Association of American Ladies, a polyclinic was set up in Nikaia to provide care and treatment for the refugees.

It was named the “Hospital of American Ladies” and was set up in makeshift huts with basic deficiencies in water and sewage. Within a decade, it was transformed into a General Hospital, with additions and extensions. Later, it passed into state hands, initially renamed the Refugee Hospital of Nea Kokkynia, in 1935 it became the Model Popular Hospital, and later, it was named General Hospital of Nikaia, a name it retains today.

“Metaxa”
The history of the Metaxa Hospital began in 1954, when Angelos Metaxas decided to donate, after his death, his estate in support of the fight against cancer. The Church of Greece, the Greek Anti-Cancer Society, and the Ministry of Health supported this effort. The cornerstone was laid in 1959. By 1967, the basic infrastructure was in place in the basement of the building, the administrative services were on the ground floor, and the first floor and outpatient clinics were operational. Initially, it was called the “Anti-Cancer Institute of Piraeus” (in memory of Spyros and Despina Metaxa), then Diagnostic Therapeutic Institute of Piraeus, and after its integration into the NHS, it developed into the current hospital, the Anti-Cancer Hospital of Piraeus “Metaxa.”

Here is the English translation of your text, maintaining the closest possible meaning, idioms, and humor where applicable:

Sismanogleio – “Amalia Fleming”

The brothers Konstantinos and Anastasios Sismanoglou continued their father’s business, an industrialist in Constantinople, in the late 19th century. They expanded into Paris, where they also opened a stock exchange office, but with the outbreak of World War I, they returned to Greece. Later, Anastasios fell ill with tuberculosis. Shortly before his death in 1934, he encouraged Konstantinos to establish a large, modern sanatorium in Athens and another in Komotini.

Konstantinos purchased a large plot of land at the foothills of Mount Penteli, and on December 6, 1936, the foundation stone was laid for the “Tuberculosis Institute of Ioannis A. Sismanoglou and His Household,” later known as Sismanogleio Hospital. In 1972, it began treating patients with other conditions, and in 1985, it was incorporated into the National Health System (ESY) as a General Hospital.

Asklipiio of Voula

The Asklipiio Hospital began operating in July 1920 in Voula as a sanatorium for treating tuberculosis of the bones, joints, and rickets in children aged 5-14. It was built on a pine-covered estate of 104 acres, donated by the Metropolis of Athens and the Monastery of Petraki. Initially, the Panhellenic Association for the Fight Against Tuberculosis took charge of administration and expenses, but everything was handed over to the Hellenic Red Cross in 1923.

Most of the hospital wards were built through donations from benefactors and philanthropists supporting the Red Cross. In 1948, it evolved into a General Orthopedic Hospital, gradually expanding with additional clinics, and in 1985, it was incorporated into the National Health System.

Agia Olga

In Nea Ionia in 1923, a school was converted into a hospital to meet the needs of refugees from Asia Minor who had settled in the area. Decades later, Aliki Perroti-Konstantopoulou made a legendary donation of approximately 800 million drachmas to the state for the construction of a multi-story hospital building in memory of her father.

Her donations continued steadily and quietly, either for the creation of new wings or for the provision of state-of-the-art medical equipment, a practice she extended to other hospitals as well.

Construction of the new building began in 1980 and was completed in 1989. The Konstantopouleio Complex – General Hospital of Nea Ionia “Agia Olga” is built on a 20-acre site and serves a wide area covering multiple municipalities.

Sotiria

The plan to create the “Sotiria” Hospital as a sanatorium originated with Sophia Schliemann, who, after visiting tuberculosis-stricken soldiers from the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 at the “Elpis” Hospital, was disheartened by what she saw. In 1902, she led a Ladies’ Association that initiated the construction of the sanatorium, while the Monastery of Petraki donated a 600-acre plot in the area where the facility was eventually developed.

Schliemann personally funded the construction of the first sanatorium building, which took two years to complete. It was inaugurated in 1905, and construction continued through donations from private individuals.

In 1915, the hospital was further supported by two bequests, and the Monastery of Petraki granted an additional 215 acres. By 1919, the state took over its administration, with Schliemann serving as the hospital’s board president until her death in 1932. In 1936, “Sotiria” was fully integrated into the public sector.

Agia Eleni

The hospital was founded as a private initiative by individuals such as Louiza Riancourt and Virginia Benaki, who established the charitable association “Agia Eleni” and collected sponsorships, the most significant being from Eleftherios Venizelos. The first president was then-Metropolitan of Athens, Theoklitos. The land was donated by the Metropolis of Athens, and the hospital began operations in 1916.

In 1938, a donation of 130,000 drachmas from Charalambos Spiliopoulos was accepted for the construction of a second wing, leading to its renaming as Spiliopouleio Hospital “Agia Eleni.” In 1984, the hospital came under state jurisdiction.

Children’s Hospital “Agia Sofia”

The initiative to establish this hospital belonged to Princess Sophia, supported by a group of women as well as benefactors Andreas Syngros and Marinos Korgialenios. The first financial contributions came from the royal family and wealthy citizens.

After the Monastery of Petraki donated the land in 1896, the hospital’s foundation stone was laid, and it officially began operations on March 22, 1900.

Children’s Hospital “Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou”

It was founded in 1933 in Goudi through a donation from Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou. The latter, through her will on August 7, 1933, allocated her entire fortune to establish a pediatric clinic. The plot for its construction was provided free of charge by the neighboring Children’s Hospital “Agia Sofia.” The foundation stone was laid on November 8, 1934. The inauguration took place on April 27, 1938, and full operation with a capacity of 20 beds began on August 15, 1938. Today, it is a fully equipped and university-affiliated pediatric hospital.

In Thessaloniki

The Theagenio Hospital, the oldest hospital in Thessaloniki, was founded through a donation from Theagenis Charisis. As a merchant of agricultural products, he possessed significant wealth. His rich philanthropic work was highlighted by his financing in 1866, during the Ottoman rule, with 100,000 francs, for the reconstruction of the Hellenic Hospital, which stood on the site now occupied by the Metropolitan Mansion. However, the building was destroyed in the fire of 1890. Theagenis re-established it through his will, and in 1891, construction of the new hospital began based on designs by Ernst Ziller, in its current location in the Agia Triada area. It was completed in 1895 and was converted into an oncology hospital in 1957.

Additionally, today’s “Georgios Gennimatas” Hospital was founded in 1915 by the Hellenic Red Cross. In 1922, in the same location, the Central Hospital for Refugees of Thessaloniki was established through donations from Elena Venizelou, Emmanouil, and Virginia Tsouderou. In 1979, it merged with the “Manna” maternity hospital of the “Child Asylum” Foundation, forming the unified General Central Hospital of Thessaloniki. In 1995, it was renamed “Georgios Gennimatas.”

Closely linked to the history of the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) is the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA. The Greek-American fraternity AHEPANS decided in 1947 to establish the University Hospital in collaboration with the newly founded Medical School of AUTH. It began operations in 1953.

The Foundations

Through numerous donations totaling tens of millions of euros, charitable foundations of well-known business families have, in recent years, addressed gaps in equipment and infrastructure, constructed new buildings, and provided state-of-the-art technology to public hospitals.

The Athanasios & Marina Martinos Charitable Foundation has made donations for the creation of new departments and/or the procurement of equipment for numerous hospitals, including “G. Papanikolaou” in Thessaloniki, Penteli Children’s Hospital, Thriassio, Laiko, “Evangelismos,” Asklipiio, and others.

The Latsis Foundation, through the “We Join Forces for Health” program, aims to meet urgent public health needs by supplying medical technology and upgrading infrastructure. In a joint initiative between the foundation and SYNE-ENOSIS (the Hellenic Shipowners’ Social Welfare Company), small- and medium-scale projects are funded. From 2018 to 2022, four donation cycles were completed, along with an emergency one in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Hospitals that have recently benefited include Attikon, the University General Hospitals of Ioannina and Alexandroupolis, the General Hospitals of Kavala, Venizeleio-Pananio in Heraklion, and Florina. Furthermore, in memory of the victims of the Mati wildfire in July 2018, the foundation launched an emergency program with a budget of 5 million euros, making donations to “Gennimatas,” KAT, Thriassio, and others.

In December 2021, the new modern Day Care Unit “Nikos Kourkoulos” was inaugurated, having been completely renovated and fully equipped through a personal donation from Marianna Latsis to Theagenio Hospital in Thessaloniki. A similar donation was made in 2015 to “Agios Savvas” Hospital in Athens. Mrs. Latsis is also proceeding with another donation to establish a third such unit at the University Hospital of Patras. The ICU of the Latsis Burn Center at Thriassio, with eight beds, has been in operation for 17 years.

Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center (OKCC)

The creation of the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center (OKCC) transformed the landscape of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery in Greece. Construction of OKCC, located on Syngrou Avenue, began in October 1987 and was completed in 1992, costing over 75 million dollars, which would be worth more than double that today.

On October 6, 1992, OKCC was donated, fully equipped, to the Greek state. At the same time, the Onassis National Transplant Center, a hospital dedicated to solid organ transplantation, is nearing completion. This ultra-modern four-story building, with a budget of 100 million euros, is equipped with cutting-edge technology worth 30 million euros.

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit

The “ELPIDA” Association, founded by the late Marianna Vardinoyannis, laid the foundation stone in 2007 for the construction of Greece’s first pediatric oncology hospital. In 2010, it was handed over fully equipped and integrated into the National Health System (ESY). Simultaneously, “ELPIDA” undertook the psychosocial support of both hospitalized children and their parents. The unit is invaluable and pioneering within Europe.

Nikos Kourkoulos Day Care Unit in Patras

Donation by Marianna Latsi

Another Nikos Kourkoulos Day Care Unit—the third in the country and within the National Health System (ESY)—will be built in Patras, becoming, like the other two in Athens and Thessaloniki, a landmark in the care and treatment of oncology patients. The announcement for the new Nikos Kourkoulos Day Care Unit was made simply and modestly by the great benefactor, Mrs. Marianna Latsi, last Thursday during the traditional New Year’s cake-cutting event at the unit of “Agios Savvas” Hospital.

Marianna Latsi will build a brand-new Day Care Center at the Rio Hospital – Photo with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis

At the facility on Alexandras Avenue 16, which was handed over to healthcare professionals and patients 10 years ago, Mrs. Latsi is often present—without cameras or an entourage. The model operation of the Unit has been and remains a personal concern of hers. Each year, approximately 28,000 patients are treated there, while 2,000 surgical procedures are performed under the highest standards of quality and safety.

Since March 2022, the Nikos Kourkoulos Unit at Theageneio Hospital in Thessaloniki has also become a vital station on the challenging journey of oncology patients. Serving over 35,000 patients annually, it provides care, solidarity, and top-tier medical treatment, not only to the patients themselves but also to their families.

The construction of the third Unit in Patras will fill a significant gap in oncology treatment for the thousands of patients in the Peloponnese and Western Greece. Its integration with the city’s hospitals—the University General Hospital and “Agios Andreas”—will ease the burden on patients, transforming their treatment experience. It will drastically reduce their hardships, increase their valuable time, and ultimately improve their quality of life—just as the Nikos Kourkoulos Units have done in Athens and Thessaloniki.