The discussion and elaboration of the draft law of the Ministry of Health “Ratification of the supplementary contract between the Greek State and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki “AHEPA”” began in the Committee of Social Affairs of the Parliament.
“The contract does not change anything in the operating status of the AHEPA Hospital, assured Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistocleous. As he explained, the bill ratifies the supplementary contract between the Greek State, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the P.G.N.TH. “AHEPA”, which extends the duration of the original contract for another thirty years, from 29 May 2026 to 29 May 2056. This ensures the continuation of the operation of the P.G.N.TH. “AHEPA” under the existing legal and operational status, said the Deputy Minister of Health and noted that the contract also includes a new provision for the cooperation of the parties with the aim of creating the Aristotle Biomedical Centre, as a broader framework for upgrading the health infrastructure, rehabilitation, university education and biomedical research of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
“The bill concerns the future of Public Health in our country, it concerns the value of linking University Education and Research with the National Health System”, said the rapporteur of the New Democracy, Maria Nefeli Hatziioannidou, adding that this contract is of particular importance, because it is not limited to ensuring the continuity of the operation of the hospital “AHEPA”, but creates the conditions for a significant upgrade of its role.
With the supplementary contract between the Greek State and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the continuity and stability of the existing legal and operational status of AHEPA for the next 30 years, up to 2056 is ensured.
The speaker of the New Democracy party said that only through a stable framework can there be serious planning, investment, international cooperation and long-term development policy.
Hatziioannidou also said that this contract is an even more important step, as it introduces the creation of a modern health, education and research ecosystem through the Aristotle Biomedical Cluster, a new Biomedical Centre designed in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and with the support of the European Investment Bank, which is a strategic choice for the future of the National Health System.
As he noted, “a fully digitized, renovated and upgraded, in terms of its buildings and equipment, the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA is planned, without interrupting the operation of the hospital for a moment, and the creation of a modern patient rehabilitation center, with the utilization of the former paraplegic building. It is planned to establish a model international research centre in the former building of the basic medical sciences, which aims to attract expertise, particularly from abroad. Also, the total upgrading of the facilities of the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, which is adjacent to the AHEPA.”
The aim is not only to formulate an ambitious plan, but also to ensure that this plan can indeed be implemented for the benefit of patients, employees, the academic community and society as a whole, said PASOK rapporteur Ioannis Tsimaris. The PASOK MP acknowledged that the contract attempts to create the conditions for the development of a wider biomedical and healthcare ecosystem in Thessaloniki, utilising the potential of the AUTH, the hospital and future structures in the area. “This is an agreement with a long-term horizon, which aspires to enable AHEPA to meet the modern needs of public health, medical education and research,” said Mr. The MP raised a number of questions. Among other things, he pointed out that the possibility of changing critical elements of AHEPA’s operating status is provided by an agreement between the public sector and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, without a new ratification by the Parliament. This is a provision that raises issues of institutional safeguards, he said and noted: “the possibility of actions to attract sponsorships, which could even affect issues of the hospital’s name or administrative structure, is envisaged. Here, a clear assurance is needed that, the public and university character of AHEPA will not be weakened or put under indirect dependencies. Also, there is no clear provision on how the uninterrupted provision of care, and education, will be protected during the renovation works.”
“I need not emphasize the value and the work, scientific, humanitarian and educational, that AHEPA has performed since the 1950s when it began operating in the 1950s until today. This is exactly why the importance of renewing the operating agreement of AHEPA is irrefutable”, said SYRIZA’s special rapporteur Andreas Panagiotopoulos. He asked, however, to clarify what is the ministry’s plan for the Medical School of the University of Thessaloniki as a whole, for its upgrading, the upgrading of the infrastructure of nursing units and structures in Thessaloniki. “Yes, the operating agreement of AHEPA under the supervision of the Ministry of Health must be renewed, but it is equally important, if not more important, to ensure that the hospital operates properly with sufficient and appropriate staff, with modern structures and modern medical equipment, but also with primary care,” Panagiotopoulos said. He also stressed that the government must explain “exactly what the role of the European Investment Bank will be in the future of AHEPA, as provided for in the new contract”, because “there is no bank that offers services on a pro bono basis, as stated in the agreement.”
In the content and provisions of this supplementary contract, the element of strengthening the business criteria of the hospital’s operation is evident, said KKE special rapporteur George Lambroulis. The KKE MP pointed out that the contract provides for the possibility of changing the current legal status of the hospital, with all that such a provision may imply for the possibility of business criteria dominating its operation and endangering the public character of the health system. “The fact that the University is commissioning the European Investment Bank to study the development and operation of the hospital confirms what? It confirms that exactly the ‘right institution’ was chosen for the University’s business orientation to be effective,” Lamproulis said. The contract stipulates that projects can be financed by private entities as well, the KKE MP said to note: “This means dependence on private entities, both in the orientation and in the conditions of operation of the projects envisaged, the new departments to be created. And essentially, it is a direct implementation of the policy, of the partnership between the public and private sectors, the so-called PPPs, which we obviously oppose.”
“Reasonable questions arise about the relationship between the state, the university and the hospital administration. We need to ensure that there are no instances of partisan interference or closed university mechanisms,” said Hellenic Solution special rapporteur Maria Athanasiou. The Hellenic Solution MP noted that “instead of the government immediately strengthening public hospitals with staff, funding and infrastructure, it seems to postpone critical decisions to the future, leaving open the possibility of a complete change of management and ownership. AHEPA belongs to the Greeks and has been built with the effort of the Greek people and it must be ensured that it will continue to serve exclusively the needs of public health, without shadows or opaque planning.” The contract, Athanasiou stressed, “enables the Greek State and the AUTH to change the legal and operational status of AHEPA at any time as long as they agree between themselves, without requiring ratification by the Parliament. “ELLINIKI LYSI” disagrees and characterizes this provision as extremely serious and politically problematic, because it essentially removes from the National Delegation the ability to control future critical changes in the status of a large public hospital.
“No one disputes that the uninterrupted operation of AHEPA must be ensured. No one disputes that a large public university hospital needs renovation, upgrading, digital modernization, better infrastructure, modern equipment, strong links with university education and biomedical research,” said New Left special rapporteur Meropi Tzoufi, adding: “the question is not whether we want an upgraded AHEPA. Of course we do. The question is, under what conditions, with what funding, with what public control, with what institutional accountability, with what guarantees for patients, university workers and the NHS itself.” It is envisaged that “AHEPA” will take all the necessary steps to attract sponsorship, even by changing its name, changing the composition of the Board of Directors or naming specific wings or facilities, the New Left MP said, warning of the “dangerous path that opens up” to set hospital priorities tailored to the needs of attracting private funds.
“The bill has many dark spots that have given us cause for concern. We will wait for the hearing of the stakeholders and we will position ourselves afterwards,” said the special rapporteur of “Victory” Aspasia Kouroupaki.
“AHEPA, is not just any hospital. It is a university hospital and this means that it combines three critical missions. The care of patients, the training of young doctors and scientific research. The operation of such an institution requires clear responsibilities, adequate resources, a strong administrative structure and above all, constant cooperation between the state and the University,” said the special rapporteur of Eleftherias Plevissis Eleftherias, Spyros Bibilas. The MP said the government should clearly explain “what problems are being solved, what new rights are being created, what financial obligations are being assumed and what the expected benefit for citizens is.”
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