Citizens will pay between 300 euros and 2,000 euros for afternoon surgeries in the National Health System starting from March 1st. The Ministry of Health’s plan was presented at a press conference by the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Marios Themistocleous.
Surgical interventions are divided into six categories based on medical criteria, and the pricing of the surgeries is done at the category level. Specifically, the categories are as follows:
- Very minor surgery: Citizens will be required to pay 300 euros.
- Minor: The cost for the citizen will be 500 euros.
- Medium: The cost for the citizen will be 900 euros.
- Major: The cost amounts to 1,200 euros.
- Severe: The cost amounts to 1,600 euros.
- Extremely severe: The cost amounts to 2,000 euros.
As emphasized by the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the cost is much lower compared to the private sector. For instance, a minor surgery (e.g., cataract) in the private sector costs over 800 euros, according to the data provided to the Ministry. Similarly, a major or severe intervention (e.g., hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery) costs more than 3,500 euros in a private hospital.
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The money paid by citizens will be allocated for the fees of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff. For a major surgery (e.g., gallbladder removal), the surgeon will receive 550 euros and the anesthesiologist 350 euros. For a severe surgery (e.g., hip arthroplasty), the surgeon will receive 750 euros and the anesthesiologist 400 euros, while for an extremely severe surgery, the surgeon will receive 1,000 euros and the anesthesiologist 450 euros.
“Our goal is not the privatization of the NHS; our goal is to maintain its public character. Only a foolish person would believe in the abolition of the NHS; we love and care for the NHS, and that’s why we work for it,” noted Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis. He added that the idea of utilizing surgical rooms in the afternoon is not new.
“What we want to do is make the position of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist more attractive,” said Mr. Georgiadis, expressing optimism that in the end, the initiative will be embraced by everyone.
