A clear message that the government has invested and continues to invest dynamically in the healthcare sector was sent by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, speaking on a panel titled “Standing by citizens and quality of life” that took place in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at an event presenting major projects being implemented in Thessaloniki.
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Minister Georgiadis, responding to key demands for more money for healthcare and hiring of medical staff in hospitals, which are raised by healthcare unions, noted that the total budget of Thessaloniki hospitals from 2019 to 2025 increased by 62.7%. Specifically, he mentioned that when New Democracy took over the country’s governance in 2019, the total budget of Thessaloniki hospitals amounted to €420.1 million, in 2023 it reached €583.6 million, in 2024 €669.5 million, and in 2025 it approaches €701 million.
“We are giving money and quite a lot of it”
“To the question ‘give money for healthcare,’ the answer is that we are giving and much more,” emphasized Minister Georgiadis. Regarding hospital staff recruitment, he noted that in 2019, 2,272 doctors served in Thessaloniki, while today the number has reached 2,773, meaning 500 more (a 37% increase). Similarly, nurses increased from 3,139 in 2019 to 3,613 today, while other hospital staff also increased from 2,029 employees in 2019 to 2,462 today.
Minister Georgiadis made special reference to projects underway in Thessaloniki, which – as he said – are changing the healthcare map in the country. Specifically, he referred to three flagship projects: The Gene Therapy and Immunotherapy Center underway at Papanikolaou Hospital, the Children’s Hospital also under development and being constructed with funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the new Oncology Hospital.
Referring to the Gene Therapy and Immunotherapy Center at “Papanikolaou,” he noted that the project will be delivered by Easter 2026, characterizing it as “stunning” as it radically changes cancer treatment methods. As he noted, the cost per patient will be reduced from €300,000 today to approximately €40,000. “Thessaloniki will be the immunotherapy capital of Greece,” he emphasized.
“It will be delivered in January 2027”
Regarding the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Children’s Hospital, he mentioned it will be delivered in January 2027. He also emphasized that the Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with international centers such as Memorial Hospital in New York, will become a reference point not only for Greece but for all of Southern Europe.
Finally, regarding the Oncology Hospital (new Theagenio), he mentioned that the tender for the project is already underway, with a total budget of €300 million through PPP. The new Theagenio will have 425 beds and will be delivered in six years. “We’re talking about the largest and most modern Oncology Hospital in Greece by a very large margin,” noted Minister Georgiadis. In closing, Minister Georgiadis emphasized that no matter how much some may complain, these projects will remain in Thessaloniki for decades, to remind everyone that this government made them reality.
