Greek Armed Forces played key role in services related to fighting pandemic, minister Hardalias says
Greece's Armed Forces helpedsupport the National Health System in key ways by their quick reaction to the needs of the coronavirus pandemic, Deputy National Defense Minister Nikos Hardalias said on Tuesday.
Hardalias opened the day-long conference on "Two Years of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Lessons for the Armed Forces," held at the War Museum by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.
"Without the undivided contribution of the Armed Forces, Civil Protection's fight against the coronavirus would not have been won and society would have collapsed," Hardalias stressed. Members of the military staffed vaccination centers and allowed a greater and faster processing of civilians getting coronavirus shots, offered extra beds at military hospitals, and provided personnel at air and sea borders and at rapid-test centers.
In addition, he said, experience in military logistics was instrumental in the fast distribution of vaccines everywhere in Greece, including remote villages and islands, providing timely access to vaccines for every citizen. Citizen Protection itself also fast-forwarded into an institution truly protecting Greeks, Hardalias said, adding he was very proud to have led the service for two years, before assuming his current portfolio.
The meeting was attended by ministers, scientists, public health officials, academics, military leaders, and regional officials, among others.
