The need to strengthen and modernize the EESY was mentioned by State Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, noting the interventions that have been implemented in recent years.
Talking to the radio station “PARAPOLITIKA”, he stressed that, after the intense pressures that the health system has been under due to successive crises, the main priority of the last three years has been its stabilization and substantial upgrading.
“The National Health System is a system that was created 43 years ago and which was burdened by two very big crises. The 10-year financial crisis, which siphoned off resources and mainly personnel, and immediately after the pandemic,” Themistocleous said, adding: “The main priority of the last three years has been first to stabilise the system and then to strengthen it substantially. In this context, today the NHS has the most staff ever, while extensive building interventions and organisational changes are underway.”
As he pointed out, for about 15 years no substantial renovations had been carried out in hospitals, while now wards, emergency departments and new building complexes are being renovated.
Themistocleous said that major interventions are underway to upgrade public health structures. In particular, he said: “The construction of 3 new hospitals is being completed through the donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, while the construction of the Thessaloniki Oncology Hospital is about to begin.
At the same time, 156 Health Centres are being renovated or have already been renovated, while extensive interventions are also taking place in hospitals throughout the country.” He also made special reference to the digital upgrade of health services through the MyHealth App, through which citizens can view examinations and make appointments.
New philosophy with emphasis on prevention
The Deputy Minister of Health stressed that “the Ministry of Health is changing its overall philosophy, leaving behind the model that operated as a ” Ministry of Illness”, that is, waiting for the citizen to get sick in order to treat him. Instead, the new approach emphasizes prevention so that citizens live longer and more good years.”
In this context, he stressed that the government has implemented five major preventive programmes, as well as individual targeted actions, with particular emphasis on nutrition and exercise.
Emergency departments and reduction of waiting times
Mr. Themistocleous referred in detail to the plan to upgrade the Emergency Departments, stating that “about 1 year ago a comprehensive plan was announced, part of which was the so-called “bracelet”, i.e. the electronic patient tracking system. When the intervention was launched, the average waiting time in the emergency room was about 9 hours, whereas today it has been reduced to 4.5 hours. This is a very significant improvement”.
He explained that this result came from three main interventions: the implementation of the electronic tracking system, a targeted increase in staffing in the EDs and infrastructure improvements. In fact, he cited as a typical example that in many cases the distance of the CT scanner from the emergency room created delays of 10 to 15 minutes or even half an hour for the transfer of a heavy case, whereas with the new arrangement this time can be reduced to 4 to 5 minutes, decisively improving the flow and safety of cases.
Manning the islands and remote areas during the summer season
Themistocleous referred at length to the needs that arise every summer on the islands and in tourist areas, where the population can double, triple or even quintuple. As he said: “Significant incentives have been introduced for doctors and nurses in the so-called arid and remote areas. In particular, financial incentives can reach up to 600 euros per month, while through the donation of the Hadjiyoannou Foundation for the 47 small islands of the country, which concerns 80 doctors, 1,500 euros net in addition to the salary is provided, with the Ministry also covering transportation.”
In addition, he said, during the summer period, staff moves from Attica to the islands and other regions are carried out, with total support of up to 2,000 euros in addition to the salary per month. As he underlined: “All these interventions have already brought a much improved picture compared to previous years.”
Incentives in arid areas
The Deputy Minister of Health placed particular emphasis on the measurable results of the incentives for difficult and remote areas. As he said, “of the approximately 300 seats that have remained permanently vacant since 2010, with no candidates coming forward, 200 have now been filled. This is a very significant improvement, which proves that the incentives have worked,” he said.
