National Health System (ESY): Changes in evening surgeries, salaries, and on-call duties
"Nobody is left unsupported in ESY," emphasized the Health Minister. "From 2025, hospitals will be paid based on what they produce," said Marios Themistocleous. A €30,000 bonus will be given to new doctors choosing general medicine or pathology
By the end of the week, the Primary Health Care (PHC) bill is expected to be put out for public consultation, as announced by the Ministry of Health leadership. Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki briefly summarized the key points of the new regulation, which she had previously presented a few months ago: New general practitioners will receive a strong financial incentive of €30,000 per year. Additionally, personal doctors will be added at the municipal level for registering the entire Greek population with a personal doctor, and seven university health centers will be established.
Ms. Agapidaki acknowledged that a major problem is the “leak” of doctors and other staff to other countries, a phenomenon that intensified during the pandemic. “The new ESY needs new materials; one cannot have the materials from 30 years ago,” she said, noting that among other things, 3,500 home care points will be created across the country, and for the first time, the number of pediatricians in ESY will increase to cover more than 500,000 children, or one-third of the country’s child population.
Regarding free screening programs, Ms. Agapidaki announced that the second phase of the cervical cancer program (for women aged 30-65) will start in the coming days, and by the end of the month, the colorectal cancer program will be implemented.