The South Aegean Region is progressing a critical health facility for the Dodecanese, prioritising support for cancer patients and islanders' access to modern care.
At its meeting on 2 October, the South Aegean Regional Committee approved the first report of the international tender and the selection of a provisional contractor for “Construction and Equipment of the Dodecanese Radiotherapy Centre through an Additional Wing at Rhodes General Hospital”.
The meeting described the milestone as particularly important for island health. The project has a direct social impact on cancer patients and their families, aiming to provide modern radiotherapy locally and reduce travel outside the Dodecanese and the additional burden it brings.
Funding comes from the South Aegean Region's Public Investment Programme, with the possibility of European Investment Bank financing through the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism for both the building and medical equipment.
Nikos Lymperopoulos, head of the Region's General Directorate of Infrastructure, presented the technical characteristics and progress of the tender.
The committee noted that this was the most difficult project the directorate had undertaken, owing to its specialist nature, strict technical requirements and the need to coordinate construction precisely with equipment installation.
A combined construction and equipment contract
The project is being delivered through a single mixed public contract, combining design-and-build construction with procurement of medical equipment.
This makes the contractor responsible for delivering a fully compatible, operational building and equipment package, as the machinery's requirements determine critical elements of the building's design.
The combined approach ensures coordination both for initial installation and future maintenance.
Preparing the tender documents required extensive cooperation with the Ministry of Health's services, which supplied the equipment specifications and cost data.
A two-level wing at Rhodes Hospital
The radiotherapy centre will be built adjoining the existing Rhodes General Hospital and connected to it operationally.
The new wing will cover approximately 1,300 square metres over two levels. The lower level, around 1,000 square metres, will house medical equipment, while the upper level, approximately 300 square metres, will contain offices.
Special shielding and the required infrastructure are planned for safe installation and operation.
Particular reference was made to the modern accelerator included in the tender and its advanced treatment capabilities, according to specifications supplied by the Ministry.
The equipment's specifications comply with the relevant requirements of Greece's National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision, EOPYY, for coverage of the planned treatments — a particularly important factor for patients.
Trial operation and next steps
The contract includes a one-year trial operating period, with maintenance and technical support for the equipment.
This provides support during the first year and gives the Ministry of Health and Rhodes General Hospital the time needed to arrange the subsequent procedures.
The next stages are the final award of the tender and pre-contract review by the competent Court of Audit unit, allowing the contract to be signed.
