Filenews 31 October 2022
The decision to build a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was announced on Monday afternoon by the Minister of Health Michalis Hatzipantelas after a meeting at the Ministry on the issue.
In his statements, Mr. Hadjipantela said that this is a "significant" day in terms of the health sector in our country.
"After several efforts in collaboration with the "Miracle Babies" Foundation and the friendly President of the Foundation Elena Megalemou Triantafyllidis and the friend President of the SHSO, we decided that a new neonatal intensive care unit will be built," he noted.
We estimate, he continued, that the tender will be announced at the beginning of the new year and the new unit will be ready in about 16 months from now.
"I want to stress that the Neonatal Unit is fourth among all of Europe, so our goal is not to stay fourth but to improve even more and why not be the best in Europe," Mr. Hadjipantela said.
Asked about the staffing issue, he said that there is no such issue at the moment, adding that "the SHSO will see it when we have the new unit".
Finally, the Minister said that the construction plans are expected to be ready on January 15, when they will be presented.
The President of the Board of Directors of the SHSO Marios Panayides in his own statements referred to the importance of the day for the Organization since, as he noted, this is a very important project, which is the upgrade and expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital.
"The project is starting to get done. It is a project that the world needs. It will be expanded on the basis of international standards," he said.
Mr. Panayides thanked the Minister of Health for his contribution to the more "immediate" implementation of the project. He also referred to the "significant" contribution and "constant pressure" that has been on the part of the "Miracle Babies" Association. He also thanked the Management of the SHSO for its efforts in the implementation of the project.
Asked, he said that "there is planning for the beds, but more detailed plans will be made so that we can get into offers. The number of beds will be expanded. This is a major upgrade of the existing plant", he added.
The President of the Association "Miracle Babies" Elena Megalemou Triantafyllidis said that this is a "historic moment" for the Association, for all parents and for all newborns who are fighting for the decision to upgrade, expand and renovate the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
"Timetables were even set for the unit to be done, as it should be for these struggling babies. It is very important that we can cut the ribbon soon," he said.
He thanked all those who listened to the Association's suggestions and those who helped in the implementation of the project. "First and foremost", he noted, "the Minister of Health, Mrs. Giannaki, the President and the Board of Directors of the SHSO as well as its Directorate".
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