The Onassis Foundation has sourced and secured 13.5 million protective masks to shield our doctors and nurses

Photo: Pinelopi Gerasimou

Through concerted efforts undertaken as swiftly as possible, the Onassis Foundation – in cooperation with the Greek Prime Minister’s Office and the Hellenic Ministry of Health – has sourced and secured 13.5 million protective masks, which the Onassis Foundation President, Mr Antonis Papadimitriou, will be delivering to the Minister of Health, Mr Vasilis Kikilias.One airplane flying in from China on Monday, March 30th and loaded with this now scarce resource have already touched down at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens, with the majority of the 27,000 boxes containing 13.5 million surgical masks, at a total cost of 7,750,000 euros, expected to arrive on Tuesday, March 31.

These medical masks will be distributed across the Greek National Health System by the Ministry of Health in order to meet pressing needs throughout the country, supporting in this way the fierce battle being waged by our doctors and nursing personnel against the pandemic unleashed by the Covid-19 virus.

Φωτογραφία: Πηνελόπη Γερασίμου

According to the President of the Onassis Foundation, Anthony S. Papadimitriou, "The President of the Onassis Foundation, Anthony S. Papadimitriou, made the following statement: “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that we accepted the request extended by yourself, together with the Minister for Health, Mr Kikilias, so as to be in a position to deliver – to you, to the Greek Government, to the Greek people, and to our National Health Service – 13.5 million masks at a total cost of 7.75 million euros. We believe that this is the least we can do out of respect for, and to repay the efforts of doctors, nursing professionals, and management personnel at our hospitals, who are – this very moment – fighting for us all, for the health of us all.”

Photo: Pinelopi Gerasimou

From his side, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, declared: “These masks and this equipment will be used exclusively to shield those who find themselves on the front line facing down this major crisis – the doctors, nurses, and personnel in our hospitals, who must feel that they are going into “battle” equipped with the necessary “munitions”. And what constitutes “munitions” for them? It is masks, it is suits, it is that whole set of protective equipment that will allow them to overcome this crisis, as well they know how.”

Photo: Pinelopi Gerasimou

The Onassis Foundation could not stand idly by at this time of national and international crisis. We are stepping up in this present moment of need, our gaze fixed firmly on the future. This initiative is the very least we could do to thank the country’s medical and nursing professionals for their incredible work. We stand – always – by society’s side, supporting everyday heroes who show us the way, so that we can take that next step forward together, with a clear sense of our responsibilities as both individuals and as a community. We’re staying home, but not out of this. United, even when apart, we can win this fight.