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.

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