“The time has come for the rebirth of the NSS. We know how to achieve this national goal. The faction of the great Change will once again be at the forefront of the new course of strengthening the social state in our homeland”, emphasizes, among others, the president of PASOK-Movement of Change, Nikos Androulakis, in his article in the Makedonia newspaper.

Mr. Androulakis criticizes the New Democracy government for “not using the billions of the Recovery Fund correctly, so that we can create a modern NHS, with quality services from end to end in our country” and notes that for PASOK-Movement for Change the strengthening the financing of public health is an absolute priority.

As he emphasizes, “the shortages are huge” and gives the example of Attica, where “to cover the increased needs, 20 additional ambulances are needed in each shift and 10 more at night, while at least 700 rescuers need to be hired throughout the country. For this reason, we are committed to channeling 8% to 10% of the total resources of the Recovery Fund and not 2% to 4% as chosen, to the detriment of the public interest, by the government of the New Democracy”.

The president of PASOK-KINAL points out that “sections are needed, which will upgrade the public health system as a whole” and formulates seven positions for the reconstitution of the NHS:

“- First of all, a strong and unified Primary Health Care system under public supervision is needed, with well-staffed health centers in every municipality and family medicine services for all, arriving at home when needed.

– Support and increase of public mental health structures, by integrating them into the Primary Care system.

– Modern and functional public hospitals, with administrations selected on merit, with notices, tenure, criteria, continuous evaluation. With round-the-clock operation, especially in the surgical and interventional sector. With a new health map, so that we don’t have 17 hospitals in the center of Athens and none in the populous Eastern Attica.

– Creation of modern and innovative care units outside hospitals. Chronic disease centers, day care units, public rehabilitation centers.

– Covering all real gaps in the National Social Security System with permanent recruitment and merit-based procedures. According to a study by the Public Health Research and Education Center, 15,000 permanent hires in all specialties are needed to reach a decent staffing level. In addition, an increase in the fees of all health workers and their inclusion in the heavy-unhealthy category is required. Especially, for young doctors, the radical reformation of the system for obtaining a specialty and increasing their salaries is necessary more than ever.

– On every large island, we are committed to an adequately staffed hospital. Fully staffed Primary Care Unit for the smaller islands and connected to the nearest hospital. At the same time, we establish financial incentives (such as additional fees, coverage of housing costs) to attract scientific potential and score for permanent positions in hospitals of their choice after a certain period of time.

– We reinstate the proposal to abolish the participation rate in the prescription drug market, for the vulnerable groups, the low pensioners and the unemployed, who today are particularly affected by the accuracy”.

“On June 25, a vote for PASOK-Movement of Change will be a vote for a strong and quality social state at the service of the Greek people,” concludes Mr. Androulakis.