1. An Act of Love and Visit to Kinshasa
Following the pro bono provision of medical services to the Greek expatriate from Russia, George Askalov, in December 2002, the Greek Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa—deeply moved both by the above case and by the enormous health problems faced by the children of that country—invited the Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic under my direction, together with HYGEIA Hospital, to Kinshasa to provide humanitarian assistance.
The mission took place in February 2003. Accompanied by the Director of Public Relations of the hospital, Mr. Argyri Koukas, we visited Kinshasa as guests of the Greek Embassy and the local Greek community.
Large quantities of medical and healthcare supplies were donated, including medicines, vaccines, bandaging materials, and other essential equipment.
At the same time, accompanied by the Minister of Health of Congo and the country’s Ambassador for Children, we visited hospitals, clinics, children’s institutions, orphanages, and similar facilities. We examined children with congenital or acquired conditions, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, anotia, congenital developmental syndromes, burns, tumors, and other serious medical issues.
On our initiative, two children with severe medical conditions were selected to be transferred to HYGEIA Hospital, where they received medical care free of charge.
In addition, as far as local conditions allowed, numerous minor surgical procedures, medical interventions, and treatments were performed on dozens of children directly in local hospitals and clinics.
Finally, at the University Hospital of Kinshasa, scientific lectures and demonstrations of surgical techniques were delivered to the hospital’s medical staff.
Our visit received official coverage from the local media, while the local authorities expressed deep appreciation for our contribution. The President of the Republic of Congo hosted us in an official reception together with the delegation of the Greek Embassy, and the heart of the once large local Greek community began to beat strongly again.
Upon our return, we received letters of congratulations from the Greek Embassy, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the President of the Hellenic Republic.
2. Dr. Paraskevas Kontoes and the remarkable story of a young boy
Dr. Paraskevas Kontoes treated, free of charge, a young boy who had suffered multiple full-thickness burns to the face. After a series of surgical procedures, he transformed the boy’s life and gave him the ability to live again without having to wear the special mask that covered his face.