Doctor, Nurses, Bike Patrols to Man Acropolis Site

The Acropolis in Athens. Photo: GTP

The Acropolis site, visited by millions of people all year round, will now have a permanent doctor on duty, nursing personnel and a standby ambulance, Greece’s incoming Culture Minister Lina Mendoni announced this week following coordinated efforts between the culture, defence and health ministries, and the Greek Red Cross.

Mendoni also met with Greek Red Cross President Antonis Avgerinos, who was given a tour on Thursday, of the Acropolis site in order to “identify the positioning of nurses units”, said the culture ministry in a statement.    

Photo by GTP

The Greek Union of Guarding Employees (PEFYA) had repeatedly called for the appointment of a doctor at the site.

“We are pleased that the archaeological site will have a full-time military doctor for most of its opening hours, which will benefit both employees and the thousands of visitors,” PEFYA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The military doctor together with a military nurse will be stationed at the Acropolis entrance permanently from 10am to 6pm daily. An EKAB ambulance will be on standby outside the site.

Responding to the minister’s request, Avgerinos agreed to station nurses at the site to assist the doctor on duty.

According to the culture ministry, ”a [Red Cross] nurse will be on standby at the information center on the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian walkway… and a second nurse will be on duty at the old Acropolis Museum”.

Dionysiou Areopagitou street, Athens, Greece. Photo: GTP

All equipment has been offered by the Greek Red Cross, the ministry said.

At the same time, Avgernios pointed out that a team of Greek Red Cross cyclists equipped with first aid supplies would be patrolling Dionysiou Areopagitou walkway every Tuesday and Thursday – when there are large visitor crowds – in addition to the current weekend patrols.