During a parliamentary session, Communist Party MP Manolis Syntyhakis addressed the severe understaffing in the Department of Anesthesiology at Venizelio Hospital in Crete. He pointed out that the department is struggling to cope with the departure of two more anaesthesiologists, who resigned citing overwhelming workloads and challenging working conditions. Currently, the department is operating with just one permanent anaesthesiologist and two retirees who have been temporarily brought back. Additionally, an anaesthesiologist from Rethymnon is occasionally available to cover some on-call shifts. Syntyhakis's remarks emphasised the urgent need to address staffing shortages to ensure the department can continue to provide essential medical services.

Syntyhakis criticises ‘patchwork’ solutions

Syntyhakis criticised the government’s approach to healthcare, particularly pointing out the staffing crisis at Venizelio Hospital in Crete. He highlighted that the hospital is currently operating with insufficient anaesthesiologists, which has led to the postponement of regular surgeries, including critical oncological procedures. Syntyhakis noted that this issue is exacerbated by the fact that 40% of the hospital staff are employed under flexible working arrangements, which do not meet the increased needs of the hospital.

The KKE MP urgently called for the recruitment of anaesthesiologists at Venizelio to ensure that both routine and emergency surgeries could proceed uninterrupted. In response, Deputy Minister of Health M. Themistokleous acknowledged the shortage of anaesthesiologists but attributed it to a decreased interest in the speciality rather than the working conditions that have reportedly driven doctors to resign.

Furthermore, Syntyhakis pointed out broader systemic issues across Cretan hospitals, including Venizelio’s shortage of radiologists and the closure of the Child Psychiatric Clinic at PAGNI due to staffing shortages. He criticised the government for deepening the commercialisation of healthcare, arguing that it prioritises private economic interests over the strengthening of public health services.

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.