Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis opened the refurbished cardiology wing at Vouvaleio General Hospital and Health Centre on Kalymnos on 6 October, saying the aim was to improve healthcare services for island residents.
“Our goal is to make residents' lives better. That is our mission,” Georgiadis said, adding that Kalymnos Hospital had made significant progress.
The new cardiology ward occupies 400 square metres next to the recently refurbished emergency department. The renovation was funded through the Recovery Fund. Siblings Katerina and Ilias Kathopoulis also donated €32,500 towards equipment.
The Kalymnos model for remote hospitals
Georgiadis highlighted visits by the orthopaedic surgical team from Rhodes Hospital to Kalymnos, an initiative he had discussed earlier.
Led by orthopaedic surgeon Michalis Sokorelos, the team operates on Kalymnos patients who would otherwise have to travel to Rhodes. Ten operations have already taken place and a further 20 are planned.
The minister described the initiative as the “Kalymnos model” and said he intended to extend it to other hospitals, particularly in remote areas.
The intervention forms part of wider efforts to upgrade hospital infrastructure on the islands. Similar Recovery Fund-supported improvements have taken place at Leros Hospital.
The minister's meetings on Kalymnos
Those attending the opening included Kalymnos Hospital administrator Pantelis Kongas, 2nd Regional Health Authority director Christos Roilos, and New Democracy Dodecanese MPs Giannis Pappas, Manos Konsolas, Mika Iatridi and Vasilis Ypsilantis.
Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia conducted the blessing.
During his visit, the health minister also went to the island's town hall and met Mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos and the heads of fishermen’s associations, who presented their requests and concerns.
Georgiadis paid a courtesy visit to Kalymnos Regional Unit head Manolis Mousellis and spoke to residents and tourists in the island's centre.
