Rhodope Medical Association condemns appointment of interim board to Panhellenic Medical Association
The Rhodope Medical Association has strongly condemned the appointment of an interim administrative committee to the Panhellenic Medical Association, arguing that the move undermines the democratic functioning of Greece's highest institutional body representing the country's doctors.
In a statement, the Rodopi Medical Association said the leadership of the Panhellenic Medical Association should emerge exclusively through the legally prescribed democratic and electoral procedures and receive its legitimacy from the votes of elected representatives of the medical community.
According to the association, the appointment of an interim committee cannot replace democratic representation or create a fait accompli within a leading scientific and professional institution.
Concerns over institutional independence
The Rodopi Medical Association also stressed the importance of the institutional independence of medical associations and the Panhellenic Medical Association.
It argued that this independence is a fundamental condition for the effective representation of doctors and should not be undermined by interventions that move their operation away from democratic principles.
The association called on the Greek state to take the necessary steps without delay to hold the required electoral process.
It said that the Panhellenic Medical Association should have a leadership with full democratic and institutional legitimacy, based on the established electoral procedures.
The Rodopi Medical Association added that it would continue to defend the institutional autonomy of medical associations and the independent representation of the medical profession through democratic procedures.
