DM: Greek Army employs 158 vets for 549 K-9s, 6 horses and…10 falcons
Greek DM Nikos Dendias this week raised eyebrows, and possibly attention by animal-lovers around the world, when he revealed in Parliament that the country’s army employs no less than 158 veterinarians for 549 K-9 dogs, six horses, and, curiously enough, 10 falcons.
The minister, in response to a tabled question and regarding a draft law on healthcare issues affecting the country’s armed forces, ticked off figures and facts that attracted media attention and went almost viral in Greek-language social media.
Among others, he said the Navy Hospital in Athens is staffed by seven pediatricians, yet it has no pediatric clinic. Under the current legal framework, Dendias added, the seven specialists cannot be transferred to another military hospital – less than a kilometer’s distance – that actually has such a clinic.
He statements came in deflection of opposition criticism that the armed forces’ healthcare units are under-financed or under-staffed, and that proposed reforms are superficial.
The proposed changes have also come under sharp criticism by retired officers’ organizations.
“We have 174% (capacity) in terms of psychologists,” the minister said from Parliament’s podium, referring to the number of positions listed on an organization chart and the actual number of such specialists employed.
“We have 122% fill rate for pharmacists. You asked before how we could serve the night pharmacies. Notice, we have 122%-staffing figure for pharmacists (in the armed forces), that’s 180 pharmacists for 11 pharmacies, and seriously speaking, can’t we operate these pharmacies at night? Of course we can. We’re at a 115%-figure in terms of dentists. I am submitting these figures for the record, which will be at your disposal… in terms of patient occupancy… we have 55% in the 401 (hospital); the 404 (hospital) is at 38% occupancy; the Naval Hospital, which is the leader, is at 62%.”
“Now, let’s see the most egregious (example): Eighty-two physicians do not serve in (the armed forces) hospitals, but in command staffs. Really? Eighty-two doctors do not offer their services as doctors. How do they do that? In what subject?
tovima
