On Monday, June 27, 2011, the Paediatric Clinic of the ''G. Gennimatas'' General' Hospital, Thessaloniki, fully renovated with a grant from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, was handed over to the hospital management. The Pediatric Clinic was inaguarated by Health and Social Solidarity Mr. Minister Andreas Loverdos and, on behalf of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, Ms. Marianna Latsis; both subsequently toured the Paediatric Clinic facilities.

The Paediatric Clinic, which has a 38-bed capacity, treats all illnesses and receives cases from Macedonia, Thrace, and Thessaly. The average number of children - up to the age of 16 - hospitalized every year at the clinic is over 1,200. Approximately 9,000 children a year visit its emergency room and outpatient clinic. The Paediatric Clinic, overseen by Dr. Stavroula Karyda, has a staff of 8 doctors and 16 nurses.

The Paediatric Clinic’s renovation took place through the coordinated joint effort of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, the hospital management, and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. Previously, the clinic's infrastructure was particularly degraded in relation to the medical health services it is called upon to provide. Using flexible cooperation methods, the project of radically restoring the approximately 500 square metres of the clinic was completed in less than three months. The renovation was based on a special design project carried out by a group of architects, psychologists, and educators, headed by the architect Ms. Emily Kamarinopoulou. Drawn up during 2009, the project was funded by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation.

In his brief address, Minster Andreas Loverdos stressed that:

''Although the health system is beset with great problems there are also many good moments, such as today’s handover of the renovated paediatric clinic to the ''G. Gennimatas'' General Hospital in Thessaloniki.''

''The future belongs to children and we owe them the best care”, Ms. Marianna Latsis stressed in her speech, underlining that:

 “During these times, each one of us has a duty and an obligation to our country, whatever position we might hold. The fruitful collaboration of the Greek State and the public welfare foundations could lead to new prototypes, something we greatly need in these circumstances”.

Ms. Latsis added.

Hospital Director Dr. Konstantinos Tsitouridis gave a brief account of the main objectives of the hospital’s management, which are none other than to achieve a sound financial restructuring of its operation and to constantly upgrade the medical services it provides, which has been already achieved to a significant degree through the completion of the donation in question.
Thessaloniki Deputy Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris also gave speeches.

The Blessing ceremony for the renovated Paediatric Clinic was performed by His Holiness, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Anthimos.

Present at the event were Health and Social Solidarity Deputy Minister Markos Bolaris, MPs Ms. Elena Rapti and Mr.Giorgos Fraggidis, hospital directors from Thessaloniki, as well as the Hospital's personnel.