Adonis Georgiadis spoke in an interview with Direct and journalist Giorgos Evgenidis about the new services in hospitals, the reduction of waiting times, the political reactions he faces, as well as about Tempi, judicial developments, and the course of the country’s foreign policy.

The Health Minister said that he had been waiting for the new hospital appointment service “like a little kid.”
“On the very first day, we received 162,000 phone calls, while the system could handle 10,000. The call center crashed, and I apologize,” he noted, adding that a “call back” service was implemented. He stated that 50,000 appointments have already been booked, and a new circular increased available weekly appointments from 3 to 12.

Regarding hospital operations, he pointed out that thanks to the use of wristbands and other measures, the average waiting time in emergency rooms has been reduced from 9 hours to 5.5 hours.

Mr. Georgiadis was asked about incidents of protests during his tours, saying that in most visits there is a positive atmosphere and he is welcomed with flowers. However, “there is also tough unionism that doesn’t like me — it’s personal.” Referring to the incident with the doctor who refused to shake his hand at the “Papanikolaou” hospital in Thessaloniki, he said that this man represents a hospital where €45 million worth of projects have been implemented.

On the subject of Tempi, he stressed that “a tragedy like that cannot be underestimated, but the political exploitation of the issue was underestimated.” Regarding rumors about hazardous materials, he said: “There was no xylene — let’s end this ‘xylene saga.’ If the freight train had caught fire, it would have been visible.”

Speaking about Mr. Routsis, who is on hunger strike, he said that he has asked the National Emergency Aid Center (EKAB) to visit him daily, but Routsis refuses to undergo medical tests:
“I beg him to let us examine him because we are worried something might happen to him.”

About Zoe Konstantopoulou, he commented that “she has a political plan to prevent the trial from taking place” and that Mr. Routsis “is 100% a victim of guidance.” Regarding Ms. Karystianou, he stated: “She has my absolute respect as a mother. If blaming me eases her pain, she should continue to do so. She is not my political opponent.”

When asked about Greek–Turkish relations, the Minister referred to Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent return from the U.S.:
“If Mitsotakis had gone and returned without achieving anything, can you imagine what would happen in Greece? We are whiny and dishonest, while we call Erdogan a ‘player,’ yet Trump shredded him.”

He estimated that “Greece is doing well in foreign policy,” and he specifically referred to Defense Minister Nikos Dendias:
“His new plan is excellent and bold. Mr. Dendias is pulling the Armed Forces out of stagnation, taking on the cost of reforms. I can’t lie — it’s a visionary bill.”