“The doors of the Ministry of Health are absolutely open to Medical Associations and their institutions. We will continue more intensively an extensive dialogue, to build the new YOU and the reforms needed, with our physician allies and advisors in this effort,” said the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadesclosing in the early hours of the morning the marathon session at Parliamenton the bill for the “completion of psychiatric reform.

Mr. Georgiadis referred to article 65 of the bill which states that “private doctors who are employed in any employment relationship in Health Units that are contracted to the National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (E.O.P.Y.Y.) or themselves are contracted with the EOPYY, they undertake through the above contracts the obligation to offer health services to address needs that may endanger public health, if they are requested only for the absolutely necessary time. The provision of these services is done on a part-time basis, since the announcements to fill the positions have been fruitless, the expression of interest of private doctors to fill the vacant positions has been fruitless”.

It also stipulates that “if those contracted with E.O.P.Y.Y. private providers or private doctors refuse to provide services, their contract with EOPYY is terminated. In addition, private doctors who refuse to provide services whether they are contracted with EOPYY . or not, access to the Electronic Prescription System (ESS) is blocked.”

This time the Minister of Health addressed not only the medical world but also the MPs of the New Republic who are doctors themselves.

“Since several MPs of the New Democracy have spoken who are doctors themselves and have an opinion on the things we are discussing, I want to say that not only do I not argue with the doctors, on the contrary I respect them.

I want to say one more thing. I thank them. I thank them because they finally came to the hospitals and filled the gaps and it’s not easy for them, it’s hard to do. I thank them also because on these two days, Friday and Monday, there was absolutely no problem in the prescribing of our fellow citizens, even though they had announced, by the Panhellenic Medical Association and the Medical Associations, a mobilization that had caused concern the previous week that there will be inconvenience in prescribing on Friday and Monday. There was no hassle at all. This mobilization is as if it never happened”, said Mr. Georgiadis and added:

“I am not saying that the doctors said that Adonis is right and not the Panhellenic Medical Association. Nor am I implicating the position of every physician who prescribed medicine to his patient as taking a position on the matter. I am saying that doctors have shown a collective responsibility in how they have treated their patients, and that is worthy of respect, even if they disagree, which they most likely disagree with the regulation we are voting on today. To me, it is even more worthy of respect for the doctors that they have maintained this attitude towards their patients even though they disagree with the provision that we have brought. I pledge that starting tomorrow, after the bill is passed, we will more intensively pursue an extensive dialogue to build the new NHS and the reforms needed with our physician allies and advisors in this effort. Not with the doctors across from us. And I am sorry that the presidents of the Medical Associations left the Parliament so quickly. I would like them to stay and watch the discussion and invite them to talk to these people, at the funeral home, and if they come again I will do so. I will call all the presidents to my office at the Ministry of Health. The doors of the Ministry of Health are absolutely open to the medical associations and institutions of doctors, with whom, I repeat, I have no desire to litigate.”

Regarding the attitude of the New Democracy MPs, Adonis Georgiadis underlined: “I want to be honest. I have been an MP for many years. It is difficult the work that the doctors-MPs, members of the National Committee of the ND, are doing today. They do a tough job. I really recognize that. I’m sorry I’ve put you in a difficult position, and it’s a difficult one for me, I’d rather have avoided it. But it is an attitude of yours that honors me and I thank you very much.”

Vassilis Yogakas (ND), a doctor by profession, had mentioned a few minutes earlier that the increased financial incentive for the movement of an NHS doctor, from the mainland to an island region, in the summer months, could provide a solution, as could the coverage by the municipalities of shelter, feeding and additional financial support, but also the inclusion of other areas in the regime for barren women.

Aristotelis Spanias (ND), also a doctor, said that article 65 of the bill has upset the medical community, but noted that the entire medical world supported and supports society. “I am proud to be part of this group. I want to say that both private doctors and public doctors always stand tall in all circumstances. So now we have covered the gaps. After a few procedures we are on a very good path with consultation and there is also the assurance of the prime minister and the minister that provisions and rules and conditions will not be applied and that the effort will continue to cover the needs”, said the ND MP .

The debate on the “completion of psychiatric reform” bill continues today, Tuesday. The meeting has been determined to start at nine in the morning and will close with the voting on the principle and on the articles of the draft law. SYRIZA, PASOK and KKE have submitted requests for a roll call vote.