€300 incentive for auxiliary doctors at İskeçe General Hospital
Plan to Extend Support to Other Hospitals in Need Across the Region
The Regional Council of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) has unanimously approved a measure to subsidize housing or meal expenses for doctors at the General Hospital of İskeçe. The initiative aims to improve staffing levels at the hospital, while also sparking broader discussion about shortages in other healthcare facilities across the region.
The proposal was presented by the Deputy Regional Governor of İskeçe, Polyxeni Brika, who requested approval for a monthly allowance primarily for auxiliary doctors of all specialties appointed to the General Hospital of İskeçe for the entire duration of their service, excluding any periods of secondment outside the prefecture.
Who Will Receive the Allowance
According to the decision:
Auxiliary doctors of all specialties are eligible for a €300 monthly housing or meal subsidy.
Resident doctors may also receive the allowance, depending on the needs and staffing levels of their specific clinical department, for the duration of their residency, with the possibility of extending it during any approved extension period.
Permanent ESY doctors newly appointed to the hospital will be eligible for up to two years.
Priority will be determined based on the staffing needs of each clinic, as assessed by the hospital’s Medical Service. Up to 10 doctors may be subsidized per year.
A similar decision—offering the same amount—has already been made by the İskeçe Municipal Council. The request for regional support was formally submitted by the hospital’s new director, Zoi Kosmidou, who stressed that such incentives are essential for attracting new permanent, auxiliary, and resident doctors.
Proposals and Concerns Raised During the Session
Several council members used the opportunity to raise concerns and propose amendments:
Irfan Hacıgene suggested increasing the allowance to €500.
Christos Metios, head of the New Regional Renaissance group, proposed extending the measure to other regional hospitals, especially those in remote areas.
Stergios Iliopoulos, leader of the Independent United Initiative, argued for increasing the number of eligible doctors.
Regional Perspective
Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis stated that the region intends to support all hospitals in need, with particular attention to the more remote and understaffed facilities in Drama and Didymoteicho, where shortages are especially acute.
