Greek public HIV testing clinics halt checks due to budget woes
Public HIV testing clinics have stopped checks since last month because of budget problems, the Athens medical association said on Friday, attacking Deputy Health Minister Fotini Skopouli for blocking funding to the centers.
The allegations came as data show that the number of HIV/AIDS cases is soaring in Greece, with infections among injecting drug users more than doubling since 2010.
“Despite the recent AIDS epidemic, Skopouli is wrecking the country’s defense against the disease,” Giorgos Patoulis, head of the association, said on Friday.
A total of 180,000 euros has been earmarked for the three HIV testing clinics, but none of that money has so far reached the units, according to reports.
