The minister made an extensive reference to the progress and work of Professor K. Nikolaidis. He was born in Cyprus, in Paphos, and has deservedly earned the title of the founder of fetal medicine. Every year he performs hundreds of complex operations, saving similar lives. He has written thousands of articles and more than 30 books. From his extremely rich curriculum vitae, the minister indicated some points:
In 1986 he became Director of the UK's first fetal medicine unit. Since 1992, he has been Professor of Fetal Medicine at King's College. In 1995, he founded the Fetal Medicine Foundation, through which:
- more than £45 million has been allocated to programs in more than 50 countries around the world;
- grants are awarded to train medical trainees in fetal medicine, and
- an annual World Congress on Fetal Medicine is organized.
Also, its activity has not been limited to what we define as the developed world. It has financed the operation of fetal medicine centers in developing countries, such as Zimbabwe or Rwanda. It has granted scholarships to over 150 Greek doctors. He has also donated equipment to the Embryo-Uterine Medicine Unit of Attikon Hospital. In recognition of his contribution, this Unit was renamed, in 2019, to "Clinic Kypros Nikolaidis".
On the occasion of this ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed that recently, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the establishment of Fetal Medicine/Prenatal Control Units has been launched in eight additional countries, within the framework of the Ministry's development aid (Hellenic Aid). These Units will operate in Ethiopia, Albania, Armenia, North Macedonia, Kenya, Kosovo, Rwanda and Moldova, 100% funded by the Fetal Medicine Foundation.
The specific program for each country will, among other things, include the Establishment of a Fetal Medicine Unit, in a public maternity hospital with free access for all women, but also the granting of scholarships for postgraduate studies in fetal medicine that will be combined with a two-year internship at the Fetal Foundation of Medicine at King's College London.
The Ambassador of Greece in London, Ioannis E. Raptakis, characteristically mentioned that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of children, all over the world, owe him their lives. The multi-awarded, Cypriot professor of King's College and University College London is considered the "father" of cervical transparency. This is the first very important ultrasound that is done on the fetus between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, to detect early any mutations in the fetus associated with a range of birth defects, such as Down syndrome. It forms the basis of prenatal control and is therefore recommended for all pregnant women.
"I am moved and particularly proud of the great honor bestowed upon me by the Greek government. I especially appreciate the fact that my friend Mr. Dendias came to London today for this purpose", Professor Nicolaidis emphasized, among other things, speaking to the Greek correspondents. "I look forward to working with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to achieve what I have wanted for many years: to transfer the results of our research to as many countries as possible in the world for the benefit of women and children in those countries", he added.
For his most important work, worthy of all praise and all recognition, Professor Kypros Nicolaidis has been honored, with high distinctions, by the international scientific community. In 2020 he was elected a member of the US National Academy of Medicine. His birthplace, Cyprus, has honored him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Archbishop Makarios III. In addition, he received the ARGO 2021 Science Award, which is awarded to distinguished Greeks abroad.
Sources:
https://www.mfa.gr/epikairotita/proto-thema/khairetismos-upourgou-exoterikon-nikou-dendia-sten-telete-parasemophoreses-tou-kathegete-embruikes-iatrikes-kupro-nikolaide-londino-22072022.html
https://politic.gr/ellada/ston-diethnous-fimis-emvryologo-kypro-nikolaidi-o-chrysos-stavros-tou-tagmatos-tou-foinika-tis-ellados/