Staff shortages jeopardize healthcare on islands
Shortly before the summer season, public hospital workers are reporting significant shortages in essential medical specialties in health centers and hospitals on the Greek islands. They are calling upon the next government to prioritize the staffing of these positions.
“The staffing problem is worsening by the day,” says Michalis Giannakos, president of the union representing Greek public hospital staff (POEDIN). “How can nurses be interested in a job at an island hospital or health center with a monthly salary of €800 when their place of residence is in another area? Rent and food costs alone far exceed their salaries,” he explains.
The hospital on Syros, which caters to the needs of all the islands in the archipelago, had to transfer two cardiologists from the Critical Care Unit (CCU) to the Cardiology Clinic in order to fill the gaps. The Artificial Kidney Unit, which serves 25 dialysis patients, now only has two doctors. Additionally, there is currently only one pathologist, who will retire next month. The Surgical Clinic is lacking a director, and the hospital is in need of both a neurologist and a psychiatrist.
Kos still does not have a pathologist, while the hospital on Limnos has only one anesthesiologist who is currently on justified leave. The Naxos Hospital/Health Center is without a gynecologist, and the Tinos Health Center remains without a pathologist. Furthermore, the Thira General Hospital does not have a pathologist, pulmonologist or microbiologist.
