The Greek Parliament passed the Ministry of Health’s bill titled “Reform of the National Trauma System” on Tuesday, January 28. The legislation provides for the establishment of 17 Trauma Centers and two Pediatric Trauma Centers.

A trauma center is a specialized hospital or unit equipped and staffed to provide care for patients suffering from major traumatic injuries such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, or gunshot wounds.

The new bill also provides for the establishment of a National Trauma Committee to evaluate Trauma Centers and Trauma Stations nationwide, and oversee the National Trauma System.

Furthermore, the training of specialized and trainee medical and nursing staff participating in trauma center teams will also be initiated.

Regarding this development the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis stated “For the first time in our country, 17 Trauma Centers and 2 Pediatric Trauma Centers are being created and staffed with appropriately trained personnel within the National Health System to ensure the swift and effective treatment of emergency cases,”.

He went on to emphasize that Greece’s National Health System will witness a complete transformation in 2025. Georgiadis noted that the health system’s services will be upgraded at all levels, with better buildings, improved equipment, and more personnel.

On his part, the Deputy Minister of Health, Marios Themistocleous, said that organizing the trauma system could reduce deaths and severe disabilities from injuries by 20%, as statistics reveal from such initiatives implemented in other countries.