Free island lodgings for volunteer doctors
There is a shortage of doctors on Greek islands every summer but the Health Ministry said yesterday that it had hit on an idea which may solve the problem – it will offer free accommodation to any visiting doctors who are willing to help out during their vacations. Deputy Health Minister Thanassis Yiannopoulos told Kathimerini that doctors who sign up for the scheme will be asked to be on call «once or twice» a week to deal with emergencies. In return, the doctors will be given a place to stay on the islands. Medical services on islands that are popular with tourists come under a heavy strain in the summer as regular personnel are not enough to cope with the increased number of patients. Yiannopoulos said that some doctors had already expressed interest in taking up the offer.
