The Panhellenic Federation of Employees in Public Hospitals (POEDHN) reports significant shortages in medical and nursing staff, ambulances, and infrastructure on 15 islands, just before the Easter holidays when the population increases sharply, according to in.gr.
In many cases, emergency shifts are covered by doctors from unrelated specialties or private contractors on short-term contracts. At the same time, there are serious gaps in nursing staff, and untrained individuals are being called upon to serve as paramedics due to the shortage of ambulances.
POEDHN President Michalis Giannakos notes that the situation is worsening, as healthcare workers are unwilling to work on the islands despite open positions, because the salaries are low and working conditions are poor.
Santorini, Kos, and Naxos have no pathologists, and Amorgos has no doctors at all, only temporary rural doctors who are not permanent.
The incentives are limited, leading many healthcare professionals to resign, with some even turning to better-paying seasonal jobs in tourism.
Most healthcare units now operate almost exclusively as first aid stations and transfer points, as noted by POEDHN. Patient transfers to the islands are also risky and cost the state between €3,000 and €10,000.
The Second Health Region of Piraeus and the Aegean responds by stating that there is a call for interest specifically for the Easter period to transfer staff to healthcare units on the islands, with additional financial incentives. Ten doctors have already responded to the call and are set to be transferred there in the near future.
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