Opening of new premises of the Polyclinic in Thessaloniki

The ribbon of the opening of the new premises of the Social Polyclinic of Médecins du Monde in Thessaloniki was cut yesterday by the Mayor of the city, Stelios Angeloudis and the President of the Organization, Hara Tziouvaras.

The new premises of the Social Polyclinic at the junction of 57 Dimitriou Lagada and Galanaki Streets were provided by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. Along with the operation of the existing Social Polyclinic on Ptolemaion Street, Médecins du Monde meets the needs of even more citizens for access to quality preventive health care services, mental support and interconnection with public services.

The Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, spoke warmly about the cooperation between the Municipality and Médecins du Monde, stressing the importance of the project for the protection of public health. Referring to the expansion to the new premises in the B’ Community, where a significant number of vulnerable social groups live, he said: “We are proud that this facility is hosted on a municipal site and that this partnership with health benefits for our residents is being done by you.” The Mayor of Thessaloniki toured the premises of the Polyclinic, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Social Policy, Solidarity and Welfare of the Municipality, Efthymios Hatzitheoklitos and the Special Advisor of the Municipality for Social Clinics, Dimitrios Skoutas. “If anyone could be considered an example of strong social contribution and volunteerism, it should be called ‘Médecins du Monde'”, Mr. Angeloudis stressed, adding that the Municipality of Thessaloniki is ready to continue to support the work of the Organization, aiming at a holistic approach to the provision of health services for the socially and economically vulnerable.

The President of Médecins du Monde, Hara Tziouvaras, expressed her gratitude for the support of the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia for the success of the project. “Remaining true to our commitment to be ”wherever people are”, the new premises of the Social Polyclinic, is an effort to expand our actions in the city, so that those who need us can find us more easily,” she added, thanking warmly the supporters, sponsors, but also volunteers and their irreplaceable contribution and uninterrupted support to the work of the organization.

Regional Councillor Voula Patoulidou referred to the importance of the long-standing cooperation with Médecins du Monde, saying that “many people will enter here with pain and exit with hope”.

The contribution of the companies Sani|ikos Group, Alumil, Saint Gobain Hellas, Leroy Merlin, Fibran AE, Isomat AE, PAOK Action, ABB Greece and Anodomo Meleteo was important for the creation of this new hospitable space. Eleni Andreadi, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability of Sani|Ikos Group, said: ‘Our cooperation is long-standing and based on values such as solidarity, humanitarianism and commitment to action’. George Fytianos, Sustainability Manager of Alumil SA, noted that Alumil will continue to support the work of Médecins du Monde and will be there to help in the next steps, “because in the end what counts is the human being”.

Médecins du Monde’s Social Polyclinic is a pillar of humanitarian action, with the continuous support of volunteers, partners and sponsors who shared this important moment with the representatives of the organization. The event highlighted the importance of solidarity and cooperation in supporting the economically and socially disadvantaged people of Thessaloniki.