Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-19 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] More Greeks should become organ donors, President Pavlopoulos says [02] Athens Medical Association condemns police's use of tear gas in Thursday's protest march [03] Greek special ops forces participated in 'Eager Lion 2017' military exercise in Jordan --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] More Greeks should become organ donors, President Pavlopoulos says President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Friday inaugurated the recently refurbished kidney transplant and kidney surgery wing in Athens 'Laiko' Hospital, which is expected to launch a new era from the hospital's kidney operations and transplants unit. Among those present at the ceremony were Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos and Alternate Health Minister Pavlos Polakis. The work to refurbish the hospital wing was financed with a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and implemented with the assistance of the Hellenic Kidney Patients Association. In his address at the inauguration, Pavlopoulos emphasised the importance of organ donation, appealing for more people to become organ donors. "There is no better way to boost social solidarity than to become organ donors. It is something that we can do very easily and that is very important, essentially invaluable," he said. He also praised the SNF for "once again, through a literally emblematic donation, continuing the tradition of the nation's great benefactors." Polakis said the country was "now sailing into calm waters and could now set other targets," including trying to eliminate the waiting list for transplants, while promising additional hiring in the health sector. [02] Athens Medical Association condemns police's use of tear gas in Thursday's protest march The Athens Medical Association (AMA) condemned on Friday the use of tear gas from riot police during a protest rally in central Athens against the new austerity measures and called on the state to abolish it. "Those dangerous chemical substances were used in order to disperse a peaceful rally against pensioners and older people resulting in their health being compromised. A large percentage of the demonstrators who came into contact with the chemicals had problems with the respiratory system and vision," the association said in a press release. "We unequivocally condemn the violence and repression of peaceful demonstrations from the police and we especially condemn and denounce the firing of chemicals that put human lives at risk. The AMA warns, once again, the state and the government to assume their responsibilities and end the use of chemical substances against demonstrators which present serious risks to public health," it added. [03] Greek special ops forces participated in 'Eager Lion 2017' military exercise in Jordan The Hellenic National Defence General Staff on Friday released photographs from the "Eager Lion 2017" multinational military exercise involving thousands of troops from 21 countries, including Greece. The complex war games were coordinated by the Jordanian Armed Forces and Greece participated with the HNDGS Joint Command of Special Operations Forces, the 13th Special Operations Command, the Underwater Demolitions Command, the Special Paratroopers Section, the 2nd Battalion of Army Aviation Helicopters and the 31st Squadron of Search-and-Rescue Operations. (Selection of photos attached)