Greek health authorities seek EU funds to bolster ambulance fleet

Health authorities are making a last-ditch bid to secure European Union structural funding for dozens of ambulances that the health service sorely needs.

Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis and Health Minister Dimitris Kouroublis discussed the matter on Tuesday with health sector officials who are under pressure to secure a contract for the supply of 96 ambulances by the end of the year. If they fail to do so, they must seek a type of bridge program between the old EU funding program and the new one, which runs until 2020.

The ambulances would bolster the fleets of four regions, including Attica.

Stathakis also told officials that he has proposed the recruitment of 13,000 health sector staff over the next six years as part of the second EU funding program.