Alarm bells from medical associations of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace over hospital understaffing and underfunding
"The Region Has Been Abandoned by the Ministry of Health"
The Medical Associations of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) have raised serious concerns regarding the staffing crisis in regional hospitals, warning that the situation in the emergency departments of Drama and Xanthi hospitals has become unsafe, putting patients' health and lives at risk. In a joint statement, they call for an immediate response from the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that forced transfers of doctors are further disrupting hospital operations.
A Healthcare System in Crisis
According to the medical associations, the understaffing of internal medicine units and other departments in Drama and Xanthi hospitals has created severe problems in the region’s secondary healthcare system. This crisis is also affecting hospitals in Kavala, Komotini, and Didymoteicho.
The operation of the Emergency Departments (ED) in Drama and Xanthi hospitals is now deemed "unsafe," endangering both patients and medical staff. The overall quality of healthcare services is deteriorating daily, with medical and nursing staff reaching exhaustion. Permanent doctors, in particular, are struggling to cover significant personnel shortages and meet the growing demands of citizens.
Despite being relatively well-staffed, the General Hospital of Kavala is also suffering due to frequent doctor transfers. Meanwhile, the anesthesiology departments of Drama and Komotini hospitals are being depleted as anesthesiologists are forcibly relocated to Xanthi hospital. The problem is further exacerbated by the continued transfer of doctors from Didymoteicho Hospital, which serves a vast and remote border area.
Lack of Support from the Ministry of Health
Instead of strengthening Didymoteicho Hospital, the Ministry of Health has failed to approve the necessary job postings for vacant positions and has not allocated enough temporary staff. Additionally, funding for 2025 has been cut, pushing hospitals into financial distress.
“The current situation is unsustainable," the medical associations stress. They argue that relocating doctors from neighboring hospitals and contracting private practitioners do not solve the issue. The Ministry’s actions contradict the fundamental medical principle of primum non nocere ("first, do no harm"), as they are directly harming both patients and public healthcare professionals.
A Call for Immediate Action
Despite multiple appeals for dialogue and intervention, the Ministry of Health has not responded to requests for a meeting with regional medical representatives. “We have reached an impasse,” the medical associations declare. They refuse to bear responsibility for a crisis caused by government inaction and demand urgent solutions to staffing and funding shortages.
“Public healthcare is a fundamental right for all citizens, including those in remote and border regions,” the statement concludes.
Signatories:
Olga Vasileiou – President, Drama Medical Association
Anastasia Antoniou – President, Kavala Medical Association
Ioannis Spanopoulos – President, Xanthi Medical Association
Konstantinos Charitopoulos – President, Rodopi Medical Association
Christos Chatzipapas – President, Evros Medical Association
Source: Paratiritis News
