In 2020 the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, in line with its goal to remain in sync and to ensure a better and more immediate response to current social needs and taking into account the emergency arising from the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, implemented a series of emergency donations to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of healthcare providers in the country.

In March 2020 the Foundation donated medical equipment to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the 1st University Department of Respiratory Medicine of “SOTIRIA” Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens aimed at the operation of 2 additional ICU beds in a special isolated area.

The ICU of the 1st University Department of Respiratory Medicine of “SOTIRIA” Hospital is a referral unit for hospitalisation of critically ill patients infected with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The donation consists in enhancing the unit in terms of equipment, with 2 positive pressure ventilators, 2 patient monitors for continuous vital signs monitoring, 2 electric ICU beds and 1 portable ultrasound scanner, increasing ICU capacity to 12 beds in total.

“Under the current circumstances, with an increasingly urgent need for ICU beds, reinforcement of the ICU with modern medical technical equipment significantly contributes to our efforts to serve society to the highest extent. In this framework, on behalf of all ICU staff, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Latsis Foundation for their immediate response and contribution.”

Antonia Koutsoukou

Professor of Intensive Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Head of ICU, 1st University Department of Respiratory Medicine “SOTIRIA” Thoracic Diseases General Hospital of Athens

• 118 COVID-19 patients were treated in the ICU of the 1st University Department of Respiratory Medicine “SOTIRIA” Hospital since March 2020.