Doctors asked to return cash

Thirteen doctors at the Ippokratio Hospital in Thessaloniki have been given 48 hours to pay back a total of 1.8 million euros that are alleged to have been lost from the institution?s coffers because of their mismanagement of supplies.

Just five of the 13 doctors are alleged to have been responsible for ordering 1.5 million euros worth of supplies against hospital rules. The doctors are suspected of colluding with medical companies to either buy supplies at inflated prices or to order items the hospital did not need.

Health Ministry inspectors have been investigating the purchase of supplies at the Ippokratio and other hospitals for the last few months. Executives at the Ippokratio decided to give the doctors the opportunity to pay back the money before any charges are issued.

Inspectors identified 48 suppliers that allegedly colluded with the doctors. Of these, six were responsible for the vast majority of supplies and have repaid a total of 1 million euros to public coffers to avoid further action.