The Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis was invited to Mega Channel’s morning chat show, where he criticized the employees of the Polyclinic of Athens, who are to enter the government suspension program.
Mr. Georgiadis dubbed the action taken by the employees as “shameful” and claimed that “they are causing a fuss because they will be transferred one kilometer away”. The Minister explained that the Polyclinic employees will be transferred to the Evangelismos hospital.
The Minister also claimed that there is no public support for the strike action of health care worker, adding that such action is supported by KKE, SYRIZA and ANTARSYA unionists. During the interview the Minister threatened that «we should have fired you for everyone to see what the point is«.
The employees were not convinced by the minister’s claims and accusations, with the hospital employee union vice president Christina Rapti noting that their dismissal might not be immediate, but it is immanent.
The healthcare employees maintain that the Ministry of Health is degrading public health in favor of private interests. The employees fear that the changes will result in restricted access to healthcare for vulnerable and elderly individuals.
