Unions of hospital doctors in Greece on Thursday stressed their intention to block hospital mergers planned by the government, saying they would enlist the aid of local mayors and municipal councils.
The head of their union federation stressed that the planned mergers were dangerous and would lead to us "mourning victims" since people who fell ill would be unable to reach hospitals to receive first aid on time.
Doctors assert that the state health system requires an additional 6,500 doctors to work efficiently, noting that the greatest shortages in medical staff were in the hospitals and health centres on the islands and remote areas.
They accused Health Minister Andreas Loverdos of being insufficiently acquainted with the issues and using advisors of "doubtful ability" as well as failing to talk with those actually working within the national health system.
ANA
