Greece Information
Joined: 21 Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Home Country: greece
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 Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:14 am Post subject: HEALTHCARE IN GREECE/ GREECE HOSPITAL GUIDE |
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HEALTHCARE IN GREECE
GENERAL
The quality of health care and health care facilities in Greece leaves much to be desired, although they are improving.
In 1983, a national health-service (IKA) was introduced in common with many other countries of southern Europe. However, although medical training is of a high standard, the health service is one of the worst in Europe, largely because of under-funding. Public hospitals are inundated with patients, although standards of hygiene are high and hospital viruses are almost non-existent.
Not surprisingly, health care costs per head in Greece are the lowest in the European Union and the country spends a relatively small percentage of its GDP on health. Public and private medicine operate alongside each other in Greece and complement one another, although public health facilities are limited in some areas, particularly on the islands. Transfers from provincial and island hospitals to hospitals in Athens or other major hospitals (e.g. the University Hospital at Ionnina) are common.
The government is currently improving the health system and a substantial investment (much of which comes from EU funding) is being made on upgrading the country’s existing hospitals, building new facilities (e.g. a large hospital on Corfu is scheduled to open in 2005), developing mobile medical units, installing high-tech equipment, and improving accident and emergency facilities.
Greece’s public health system (IKA) provides free or low cost health care for those who contribute to Greek social security, plus their families and retirees (including those from other EU countries). Members are charged 25 per cent of the actual cost of prescriptions, although there are higher charges for non-essential medicines plus substantial contributions for many services, including spectacles, dentures and other treatment. Essential dental treatment is largely free.
If you don’t qualify for health care under the public health system, it’s essential to have private health insurance. This is recommended in any case if you can afford it, owing to the inadequacy of public health services and long waiting lists for specialist appointments and non-urgent operations in some areas.
Visitors to Greece should have holiday health insurance if they aren’t covered by a reciprocal arrangement. Note that the EU Health Card (old Form E-111) covers basic medical care only and it’s advisable to have extra holiday insurance to cover eventualities such as repatriation.
Greeks are among the world’s healthiest people and have one of the highest life expectancies in the EU. The incidence of heart disease is among the lowest in the world, which is attributed in large part to their diet (which includes lots of garlic, olive oil and red wine), as is that of cancers. However, the country has a high rate of smoking-related health problems and the proportion of smokers is one of the highest in the EU.
DIRECTORY OF HOSPITALS & CLINICS
Athens General Clinic
15M Geroulannou
Athens
115 24
Greece
Tel: + 30 210 692 1484
Fax: + 30 210 692 1408
Eurocliniki
Athanasiadou St No 9
Athens
Greece
Tel: + 30 1 641 6600
Fax: + 30 1 641 6555
Hygeia Hospital
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Center of Athens Hygeia SA
Kifissias Ave. & 4 Erythou Stavrou Str.
Maroussi
Athens
151 23
Greece
Tel: + 30 1 682 7940/49
Fax: + 30 1 684 5089
IASO Hospital
37-39 Kifisias Avenue
Marousi
Athens
15123
Greece
Tel: + 30 1 618 4000
Fax: + 30 1 618 4158
Medical Centre of Athens
Distomou st. No 5-7
Marousi
Athens
15125
Greece
Tel: + 30 1 689 8100/20
Fax: + 30 1 689 8555
Metropolitan Hospital
9 Eth. Makariou & El. Venizelou 1
N. Falio
Athens
185 47
Greece
Tel: + 30 210 480 9000
Fax: + 30 210 481 4887
Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center
356 Sygrou Avenue
Kallithea
Athens
176 74
Greece
Tel: + 30 1 94 93000
Fax: + 30 1 94 93199
Paros Medical Center
Parikia 84400
Paros
Greece
Tel: + 30 284 244 1012
Fax: + 30 284 244 1012
Sismanoglio General Hospital
1 Sismanogliou Street
Marousi
151 26
Greece
Tel: + 30 210 803 9001
Fax: + 30 210 804 9100
St. Luke Hospital
Panorama
Thessaloniki
55236
Greece
Tel: + 30 31 342 102
Fax: + 30 31 341 828
The Group Practice
111 Marathonodromon Street
Paleo Psychiko
Athens
154 52
Greece
Tel: + 30 210 677 7747
Fax: + 30 210 677 7187 |
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