Address by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis at the “CARDIAC SURGERY 2025” Two-Day Conference

Address by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis at the "CARDIAC SURGERY 2025" Two-Day Conference

November 14, 2025

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, addressed on Friday 14 November 2025 a greeting at a two-day Conference entitled "CARDIAC SURGERY 2025", organized by the Joint Cardiac Surgery Clinic of 401 General Military Hospital of Athens.

Among those present were the Director of HAGS Medical Directorate Major General Georgios Dimitrakopoulos, representing the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupisand the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the President of the Supreme Medical Council Commodore Ioannis Kyriazanos, representing the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios Kataras, the Director of HAFGS Medical Directorate Brigadier General Ioannis Kapiris, representing the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, and the Director of 401 General Military Hospital of Athens Brigadier General Ilias Poulakidas.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence in his address stated amongst others the following:

"It is with a great pleasure that I am here with you today, at the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, declaring the opening of the works of the "CARDIAC SURGERY 2025" Conference organized by the Armed Forces' Joint Cardiac Surgery Clinic.

The issue of health care is a major priority for the Ministry of National Defence and our primary consideration is the upgrading of health services provided, the improvement of working conditions of the members of the Medical Corps and their continuous scientific training.

Hence, today's Conference serves to highlight the importance of the scientific work carried out at the Joint Cardiac Surgery Clinic, as the basis for optimal healthcare provision.

Through such meetings and exchange of views, the wealth of the Greek cardiac surgery community is highlighted: the innovative techniques, the modern methods of diagnosis and treatment, but also the human dimension of medical practice.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you, men and women members of the Armed Forces' Medical Corps, who work at the Joint Cardiac Surgery Clinic, who, with your excellent knowledge, selflessness, and strong sense of duty, fulfill your mission. And I assure you that we are doing and will continue to do our utmost to support and promote your valuable work".