Doctors of the World Offer Charity Medical Aid to Refugees on Hellenic Seaways Ferries

Doctors of the World in front of Hellenic Seaways’ “Nissos Mykonos” ferry.

International medical charity Doctors of the World (DOTW) and Greek coastal ferry operator Hellenic Seaways have joined forces to meet the health needs of refugees travelling on ferries from the Greek islands to Athens.

Considering that refugees spend approximately 10 hours on the ferries that transport them between the islands and the mainland in Greece, DOTW negotiated with Hellenic Seaways to provide medical services on these ferries as they make the crossing.

Since January 15, a DOTW medical team consisting of a doctor, nurse, psychologist, social workers and interpreters are available in a special clinic space on the ferries of Nissos Mykonos and Nissos Rodos.

According to DOTW, on average there are between 1,200 and 1,400 refugees on each ferry, which travel daily from Lesvos to the Athens port of Piraeus via the islands of Chios, Samos, and Ikaria.

“We have been told that they have, on average, 4 emergencies as they cross each time”, a DOTW announcement said.

The DOTW medical teams will be available on the ferries for three months initially.

“The cooperation between Hellenic Seaways and Doctors of the World aim for all fellow human beings to travel safely under the best conditions”, Hellenic Seaways said in an announcement.

Doctors of the World is part of the global Médecins du Monde network, which delivers over 300 projects in more than 70 countries through 3,000 volunteers.