Opap strengthens the government’s programmes, president says

OPAP’s overall social action strengthens the State’s plans and programmes, said President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday.

The president was speaking at the event to report on OPAP’s corporate social responsibility for the three-year period 2020-2022, held on Monday at THOC’s building in Nicosia.

He noted that OPAP Cyprus has convinced with its long-standing consistency and proud support that its actions for the benefit of Cypriot society are not dictated by any institutional or procedural obligation, but by absolute respect for Cypriot society. “This respect underlies the whole strategic approach of OPAP, which expresses its actions systematically and consistently on the basis of prioritising the needs of society and its citizens, taking into account the particularities of each era”, he said.

The company’s action reinforces the state’s plans in the fields of health, education, culture, environment and sports, the president said. “Undoubtedly, you have over time demonstrated a high sense of responsibility in the midst of difficult circumstances for Cyprus,” he said, assuring that the state recognises this contribution.

The account of the Corporate Social Responsibility actions for the three-year period 2020-2022 could proportionally be an account of the State and the Government itself, the president declared.

A significant percentage of OPAP’s actions have substantially supported or even replaced governmental plans, he stressed. Among the top actions during this period was the construction, in a very short time, of the New Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia General Hospital.

During that time, the company equipped health professionals, provided a state-of-the-art integrated diagnostic imaging system, strengthening state hospitals with cutting-edge technologies. It also supported premature newborns by providing a specialized neonatal and peadiatric ambulance.

Also, OPAP further strengthened the Health System by providing a modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system for the needs of the Nicosia General Hospital, while offering new state-of-the-art mammography systems. In addition, it undertook the complete renovation of the Day Support Centre for People with Dementia of the “Ithaki” Association.

President Christodoulides added that OPAP Cyprus also supports institutional social aid organizations such as the Karaiskakio Foundation, PASYKAF, the Cyprus Cancer Society, the Cyprus Red Cross, the Centre for Preventive Paediatrics “Amerikos Argyriou”, the “One Dream One Wish” Association and the Blood Centre, strengthening the fleet of vehicles in order to meet the increased needs arising from the unified and pan-Cypriot management of blood donation.

Strengthening culture, OPAP supported the International Festival “Kypria”, the Nicosia Festival, the events for the 200 years since the beginning of the Greek Revolution and many other cultural institutions, associations and events in cities and the countryside, the president added. As regards the company’s environmental sensitivities, these include the creation of parks and the institutionalized participation in reforestation programs.

In the areas of education and sports, OPAP Cyprus’ contribution to the operation of music and sports schools, as well as its response to the needs of educational institutions is substantial, said President Christodoulides. The company also supported athletes by upgrading its cooperation with the Cyprus Olympic Committee.

Almost all sports federations, national teams, clubs and events, as well as the planning of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, are supported by OPAP Cyprus, the president said.

He then personally congratulated the CEO of OPAP Cyprus, Dimitris Aletraris, for his important work.

For his part, Aletraris, referred to the philosophy of OPAP Cyprus’, which focuses on the protection of the health and safety of society. He said the company’s cooperation with the state help identify, prioritise and implement priorities of needs, particularly in the areas of health, culture, education, sport and society.

“We have consistently attended alongside the people of the country, allies in their efforts to deal with the problems and the upheavals that the last three years have brought,” Aletraris concluded.

The event was opened by the internationally renowned Cypriot baritone Kyros Patsalides, while Cypriot celebrities attended the event.