No faith in Greek National Health System
The vast majority of Greeks are dissatisfied with their state hospitals and social security funds; the greatest complaints with the National Health System (ESY) being the lack of transparency in transactions with hospital staff, staff shortages, a lack of infrastructure and long waiting lists for operations and medical tests. According to a recent survey by MRB, carried out for Kathimerini among a sample of 2,000 Greeks, two in three declared their dissatisfaction with state hospital services. Just over 18 percent had no opinion either way, and 17.1 percent were completely or rather satisfied. The least happy about health services were 80 percent of those who voted for the opposition New Democracy party in the last elections, 67.1 percent of Communist Party supporters and 66.1 percent of those who voted for the Left Coalition. Even 44.2 percent of the ruling party’s supporters expressed their displeasure. Nearly a third cited the lack of transparency as the greatest problem, and nearly 30 percent referred to the lack of staff and infrastructure. Over a quarter expressed concerns about the lack of equipment and new technology and the long waiting lists. Another complaint was the shortage of beds and poor coverage by social security funds. A few blamed poor hospital administration for ESY’s negative image and 8.7 percent the Health Ministry. Only 8 percent thought there was a shortage of hospitals, while 4.3 percent feel staff are poorly trained. Two-thirds of those polled were dissatisfied with their social security fund. ESY doctors and other staff told Kathimerini the shortage of state funds were to blame for outdated infrastructure and equipment as well as staff shortages.
