Hospitals to run out of key supplies in coming weeks

Greek hospitals are starting to run short of key supplies ranging from medicines to food, following the imposition of capital controls, with staff warning that stocks will be depleted in the coming weeks if no action is taken.

The current restrictions on imports are a key problem, according to sources, who said medical supplies will last another 20 or 30 days. Procuring perishable foods such as meat and milk is also problematic, according to sources, as suppliers often ask to be paid in cash. Even firms supplying detergents and soap have started asking for down payments in order to supply goods.

The head of the workers’ union at the capital’s Evangelismos Hospital, Ilias Sioras, told Kathimerini that supplies will start running out soon.

“The hospital has medicines and consumables for this month,” he said, adding that the perishable foods will last until early next week. Some suppliers have accepted payment by check, he added, as “there is no cash.”