Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis told private ANT1 and MEGA that contributions by state insurance funds for pharmaceutical supplies would be calculated in accordance to insured people’s levels of declared income.  Asked if it is fair that insured people who paid higher contributions would also be called to pay a larger price ratio for pharmaceutical supplies, Kouroumblis said that a more equitable system is one that helps those who are financially vulnerable. He added, however that the new scale would not surpass 25%, adding that it would help those who are financially weak.

Kouroumblis announced that the 5-euro fee at hospitals would be abolished within days, however in the second six-month period the 1 euro per perscription would also be scrapped. Furthermore, he revealed that the contracts with German companies at the expense of the Public Sector had been gigantic. He made reference to contracts worth millions of euros for technical aid in the Health Sector that had never eventuated. He pointed to a report that had cost the previous government 700,000 euros as well as 10 million euros paid up whereas only 10% of the contract had been completed.

Focusing on the grass roots of health, Kouroublis announced the recruitment of 1,000 doctors and 80 radiologists at hospitals around the country by April. He refuted false accusations that saw the light concerning cutbacks to hospital budgets. He said that the current funding process will continue to operate.