Leadership shake-up at military hospitals
A wave of senior officer dismissals has highlighted long-standing issues in Greece’s military healthcare system.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has removed 10 senior officials from the Health Corps following concerns about misdiagnoses and delays at the 424 General Military Training Hospital in Thessaloniki. The decision aligns with a forthcoming legislative overhaul aimed at addressing systemic problems in military hospitals.
Despite high-quality services at Athens’ leading military hospitals, such as the 401 General Military Hospital, chronic issues persist.
A key challenge is the inability of these institutions to establish independent budgets. Instead, they rely on allocations from the General Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, leading to inconsistent funding and operational difficulties. “The absence of direct financial oversight hinders efficient management,” a senior official noted.
Outdated organizational regulations exacerbate the problem, leaving commanders ill-prepared for administrative roles. Most hospital leaders lack managerial experience, devoting their time to clinical duties while administrative tasks fall to deputies who operate under outdated protocols.
Dendias has introduced legislation to the cabinet, set for parliamentary debate in January, aiming to modernize military hospital governance. He has also acted decisively to address management gaps.
The Council of Chiefs of General Staff (SAGE) approved the dismissals of the commanders of Thessaloniki’s 424 and Athens’ 401 hospitals, along with top medical directors across the armed forces. Their replacements are tasked with implementing the reforms envisioned in the forthcoming legislation.
While military hospitals boast advanced technology – some facilities in Athens rival private institutions – staffing shortages persist, particularly among pathologists and anesthesiologists. Recruitment challenges are compounded by physicians prioritizing private practices.
Dendias’ measures underscore a broader goal: transforming military hospitals to meet modern needs. “For years, these challenges have undermined their potential,” a senior defense source stated. The reforms are expected to improve both military readiness and public trust.
With state-of-the-art facilities and untapped potential, Greece’s military hospitals could become a model for integrated healthcare. For now, they remain a system in transition, striving to balance legacy issues with the demands of the future.
Kathimerini
