Greece to address hospital staffing crisis with private doctors
Greece’s Health Ministry decided Thursday to address severe staffing shortages in regional hospitals by recruiting private doctors.
The ministry plans to implement the Plevris law, enacted during former Health Minister Thanos Plevris’s tenure, within the next two weeks. The law allows for compulsory service by private physicians in emergencies and will initially apply to seven areas, including the island of Kos and Laconia in southeastern Peloponnese, Kathimerini understands.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis revealed at the Pharma & Health Conference on Thursday that 105 out of 140 private doctors contacted from remote Greek regions have declined to assist, with only 14 possibly agreeing to help. Georgiadis criticized the poor response from private doctors, stating he “prefers voluntary cooperation” over enforcement but assured that the state will find alternative solutions.
The Panhellenic Medical Association criticized the government’s approach, citing inadequate funding and ineffective threats. The Association called for constructive solutions rather than punitive measures to resolve the healthcare crisis.
