Tougher penalties ahead for offenses in health sector
Health Minister Makis Voridis on Tuesday heralded tougher penalties for offenses in the health sector, noting that instances of blackmail or bribery that are normally categorized as misdemeanors would be treated as felonies if they are committed in the health sector.
Voridis yesterday submitted a blueprint for the crackdown to Ioannis Tentes, the national anti-corruption coordinator. The plan also foresees changes to disciplinary panels, which are to comprise a larger proportion of judges, rather than health sector officials.
The ministry is also planning to introduce an electronic booking system for surgery to stop under-the-table payments often given to doctors by patients to jump the queue.
