DEDICATION
OF THE NEW SAE DIAGNOSTIC CENTER IN MARIUPOL
Mariupol
September
20, 2003—“A dream has become a
reality and today is for all of Hellenes a day of joy, and one of the
happiest days of my life. I would like to thank the Greek Government who
created SAE, since without it we would not be able to begin the Medical
Program that offers assistance to all our suffering brothers.”
With
these
words,
SAE
President,
Mr.
Andrew
A.
Athens
began
his
greeting
today
at
the
dedication
of
the
state-of-the-art
Diagnostic
Center
of
SAE
in
Mariupol, Ukraine. The Dedication was
made by SAE President, the basic donor of the Center, Mr. Antonis Doudos,
President of “Friends of SAE”, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Ioannis Magriotis, the President of the New Democracy Party, Mr.
Kostas Karamanlis and the President of the Special Permanent Committee of
the Parliament for Issues of Hellenism Abroad, Mr. Grigoris Niotis.
Mr.
Athens thanked the Deputy Minister, Mr.
Ioannis Magriotis for his close cooperation and assistance to SAE’s
work, Hellenism Abroad and especially to those who are in need.
He
also thanked the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Apostolos
Kaklamanis, Mr. Grigoris Niotis and all political parties that support SAE,
while he noted the support of the USA government to SAE’s Medical
Program, that was implemented by SAE President in 1997 along with the SAE
Medical Director, Mr. Charles Kanakis.
Mr.
Athens
especially
thanked
businessman
Mr.
Antonis Doudos from Thessaloniki, whose
generous donation made the construction of the Diagnostic Center a
reality.
All
guests
from
Greece,
USA
and
Ukraine
mentioned
the
valuable work of SAE Medical Program in
the countries of the Black Sea.
The
Deputy
Minister
of
Foreign
Affairs,
Mr.
Ioannis Magriotis addressed the guests
on behalf of the Prime Minister, Mr. Konstantinos Simitis and the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Papandreou. Mr.
Magriotis
congratulated
SAE
President,
Mr.
Andrew
A.
Athens for his vision and faith in
implementing SAE’s Medical Program, and thanked all who have worked with
him for the conclusion of the work. Mostly he thanked the basic donor of
the Diagnostic Center, Mr. Antonis Doudos, while he expressed his
satisfaction for the fraternization and cooperation among Ippokratio
Hospital of Thessaloniki and the SAE Diagnostic Medical Center of Mariupol.
Mr.
Magriotis spoke of the program of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism of the Black Sea, the
enhancement of the Medical Program, the promotion of the Greek language
and the creation of Hellenic micro-enterprises.
Mr.
Antonis Doudos, President of “Friends
of SAE”, who made the donation in memory of his parents, Konstantinos
and Zmaragdi Doudos, expressed his satisfaction for the fact that he
managed to fulfill the least obligation he feels he has as a Hellene for
Hellenism of the area, while he noted that the virtue of Hellenes to honor
their history is still alive.
The
President
of
the
New
Democracy
Party,
Mr.
Kostas
Karamanlis
congratulated
SAE
and
especially
its
President,
Mr.
Andrew
A.
Athens
for
the
Medical
Program,
which
offers
basic
medical
care
to
Hellenes
in
the
countries
of
the
former
Soviet
Union
and Albania. He
also
mentioned
that
the
new
SAE
Diagnostic
Center
in
Mariupol,
marks
the
beginning
of
a
new
era,
with
new
initiatives
for the comforting of needs of Hellenes
in the Black Sea and the Balkans.
The
President of the Special Permanent Committee of the Parliament for Issues
of Hellenism Abroad, Mr. Grigoris Niotis addressed the guest on behalf of
the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Apostolos Kaklamanis. He
mentioned the interest and love of the Parliament for Hellenism of the
Black Sea, while he stressed the fact that the Hellenic State will always
stand by SAE and its work.
The
Mayor
of
Mariupol,
Mr.
Houtloubei,
thanked
SAE
President,
Mr.
Andrew
A.
Athens and the Hellenic State for this
valuable present offered to all residents of the area, who this year are
celebrating the 225 years since the founding of the city by the Hellene
Metropolitan Ignatios who arrived at the area along with Hellenes from
Crimea.
Mr.
Jerry Obendorfer addressed the guests on
behalf of the American Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr.
Obendorfer
mentioned
that
today he is feeling both a Hellene and a
Ukrainian, while he committed to continue the support to SAE’s Medical
Program.
The
President
of
the
Hellenic
Associations
of
Ukraine,
Ms.
Alexandra
Protchenko thanked SAE, the Hellenic
State and all Political Parties on behalf of Hellenism of Mariupol.
The
dedication
of
the
new
SAE
Diagnostic
Center
in
Mariupol
honored
with
their
presence,
the
Ambassador
of
Greece
in
Ukraine,
Mr.
Panagiotis Goumas, the MPs, Petros
Moliviatis, Panagiotis Skandalakis, A’ Vice-President of the Special
Permanent Committee of the Parliament for Issues of Hellenism Abroad, Ms.
Parthena Fountoukidou, Mr. Vangellis Meimarakis, Mr. Folias, the Prefect
of Thessaloniki, Mr. Panagiotis Psomiadis, the Director of the Center of
the Black Sea, Mr. Adamiids and Ukrainian MPs.
The
following
SAE
Board
Members
attended
the
events
of
the
dedication:
Mr.
Christos
Tomaras,
SAE
Vice-President,
Coordinator
for
N.
& S.
America,
Mr.
Konstantinos Vertzagias, SAE
Vice-President, Coordinator for Oceania, Mr. Angelo Aslanidis, SAE
Vice-President, Coordinator for Europe, Mr. Konstantinos Georganas, SAE
Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. Eleni Konstantinidou, SAE Secretary, Ms. Eleni
Katsarou, Coordinator for SAE Culture Network, Ms. Anna Kontouli,
Coordinator for SAE Women’s Network and Dr. Charles Kanakis, SAE Medical
Director.
Presidents
of Hellenic Federations of Russia, Armenia, Moldavia, Belarus and
representatives of other Hellenic Associations of the countries of the
former Soviet Union as well as the President of Ippokratio Hospital of
Thessaloniki, Mr. Sigalas attended the events.
SAE
Diagnostic Center in Mariupol is one of the most modern centers in the
Republic of Ukraine and the largest SAE Medical Center that offers free
medical care in the area of the Black Sea. The three-story Diagnostic
Center in Mariupol is cited next to the Building of the Federation of
Hellenic Communities of Ukraine in an area of 2000 square meters
(examination rooms at the first two floors and administration offices at
the third floor). The Diagnostic Center includes a special Women’s
Excellence Program with mammography equipment that is not available
anywhere else in the general area.
Funds
for
the
construction
of
the
building
were
donated
by
Mr.
Antonis Doudos, President of the Friends
of SAE, while medical equipment for the clinic were financed through a
grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
The
Medical
Care
Initiative
of
SAE
has
founded
three
Medical
Centers
in
Georgia, one in Armenia and one in
Albania in cooperation with the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, Mr.
Anastasios.
SAE
also operates a network of visiting rural nurses and mobile units in
Ukraine and Georgia. Additional
medical
centers
are
planned
for
Southern Russia, Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan. SAE’s medical program has also begun to operate a new public
information and training program for HIV in Ukraine.
Humanitarian
assistance is provided in the form of clothing and food, including a
recent delivery of about 21,000 tons of agricultural products in
cooperation with Solidarity
organization of the Church of Greece.
