As reported, audits by the National Transparency Authority have identified violations at private healthcare facilities. Among the cases cited by Politico are beauty centres where hair transplants were performed without a dermatologist present, as well as stem cell banks that allegedly operated without the required licence.
The report also examines the circumstances surrounding the death of the 54-year-old singer. According to information gathered by judicial authorities and cited by Politico, an ‘unexplained gap of 87 minutes’ between his loss of consciousness and the call to the emergency services is under investigation.
According to the report, the case has prompted criticism from opposition parties and health experts over oversight of the sector. In response, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis announced the formation of a committee to develop an institutional framework for longevity services, regenerative medicine and related medical procedures.
Politico also quotes Elias Mosialos, director of LSE Health, who argues that Greece has made progress in organising its healthcare system but has yet to complete its digital transformation. According to Mosialos, shortcomings remain in the systematic monitoring of the quality of services provided to patients, as well as in planning for the medical specialties and skills that will be needed in the coming years, given the country’s ageing and shrinking population.
As part of the changes under consideration, the health minister has also announced ‘Medwatch’, a system that will use artificial intelligence to monitor doctors’ social media posts and advertisements, with the aim of identifying possible violations of legislation governing private healthcare facilities.
Mosialos, however, draws a distinction between licensing and the quality of services provided, raising the issue of systematic quality control beyond whether a facility holds the required operating licence.
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