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Mihalis Yannakos, head of the Federation of Employees in Greek Public Hospitals (POEDIN), has warned about the deepening problems in Greece’s health care system, highlighting that the country now ranks as the EU’s most challenged in terms of access to health care.
Speaking on a television program, Yannakos analyzed data from the Ministry of Health and Eurostat, noting that Greece is at the top of the European Union when it comes to “unmet health needs”. He emphasized that these figures are not just statistics but reflect the daily struggles of Greek citizens trying to access medical care.
Yannakos noted that waiting lists in hospitals are continuing to grow, with delays of several months for surgeries and specialist consultations. He emphasized that many hospitals nationwide lack modern medical equipment and adequate infrastructure, which negatively affects patients’ diagnosis and treatment processes.
He added that the root of these problems lies in the budgetary restrictions implemented in past years. “This negative distinction clearly shows the deep damage these financial measures inflicted on essential social services like healthcare. Unfortunately, this damage has not yet been sufficiently addressed,” Yannakos stated.
According to Yannakos, the most critical issue in the health care system is a lack of personnel. Hospitals have far fewer nurses and doctors than the European average, and the heavy workload is pushing health care workers to the point of exhaustion. He also noted that the underperformance of the family doctor system makes it difficult for citizens to access primary health care services.
Another major issue is that dental care services are almost entirely left to the private sector, creating significant hardship for citizens. Many low-income individuals are forced to postpone essential dental treatments, which can lead to more serious health problems over time.
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