Despite job announcements, these positions often remain unfilled due to uncompetitive salaries that fail to cover living expenses. Giannakos highlighted the stark financial realities facing healthcare professionals, stating, “A new doctor receives approximately €1,850 per month, while nurses and ambulance care personnel earn well below €1,000.” He also pointed out that incentives offered by the Ministry of Health in the last two summers to fill some positions were only applicable to personnel relocating from other areas, limiting their effectiveness.
The lack of medical staff has led to significant gaps in healthcare provision across the islands:
– Kythera is completely without an anaesthetist, making intubation impossible if needed.
– Kos, a major tourist destination, is currently without hospital doctors.
– Santorini lacks specialists including a pathologist, microbiologist, and radiologist.
– The surgical department in Naxos is not operational.
– On Tinos, a paediatrician is forced to also handle pathological cases, with only a microbiologist and a dentist additionally available at the health centre.
These shortages pose a serious risk to both residents and visitors, especially during the peak tourist season, when the demand for medical services increases significantly.
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