Adonis Georgiadis finds “quite a good” picture at İskeçe General Hospital
Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis visited İskeçe General Hospital on Monday, as part of his tour of health facilities in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace during the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). His visit coincided with the launch of renovation works at the hospital’s Emergency Department (ER).
The day before, Georgiadis toured health units in Meriç, followed by Gümülcine General Hospital, where he praised service quality, surgical efficiency, and reduced complaints, adding that the hospital’s relocation will be completed within a year.
“The new Gümülcine General Hospital will be the most beautiful general hospital in Greece,” he remarked.
In İskeçe, Georgiadis was welcomed by the hospital’s new director Zoi Kosmidou, along with medical and nursing staff. Members of the hospital workers’ union staged a protest demanding new staff recruitments and improvements to the health system.
Kosmidou said the minister listened carefully to the workers’ concerns and noted that the meeting was constructive:
“There was positive response from the Minister, even on issues raised for the first time,” she commented, underlining that staff shortages remain the hospital’s key problem.
Georgiadis described the hospital’s condition as “quite good”, citing staffing figures:
- 85% of organizational positions are filled
- 708 total positions, 602 currently staffed
- 430 permanent staff members
- Average annual occupancy at 44%
- Since 2019: +7 doctors, +1 nurse, +46 other staff
Regarding vacant posts, he noted İskeçe General is classified as a Category A “inaccessible” hospital, meaning additional incentives apply. The positions of anesthesiologist and surgeon will be included in the upcoming October call for applications. On nursing shortages, he confirmed that new posts will be added via the next ASEP recruitment process.
Kosmidou also highlighted the significance of the €2.7 million renovation project at the ER, part of a wider €11 million package of interventions funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the EU’s NSRF program.
During his visit, the minister toured hospital wards, spoke with patients and families, and held a meeting with doctors, nurses, and staff representatives to discuss the hospital’s needs, including staffing and funding.
Kosmidou concluded:
“With the commitment of staff and society, and with the support of the Ministry and the 4th Health District, we move forward strongly toward the goal of improving healthcare services with transparency and respect for public funds.”
