ATHENS

Greek public hospitals are struggling with a severe personnel shortage, local media reported on Tuesday.

Some public health facilities in rural areas are operating with over 50% of nursing positions unfilled, reported daily Kathimerini, citing data by the Panhellenic Federation of Nursing Staff (PASONOP).

Accordingly, the hospitals in the island of Syros face over 54% vacancy rate in nursing roles, while the one in the island of Rhodes reports over half of its positions unoccupied.

Noting that the situation threatens the quality of health care services, especially in remote and insular regions, PASONOP warned of a collapsing public health system in a letter to the Health Ministry.

It called for urgent measures including filling vacant positions, bettering night shift pay, and prioritizing transfers to understaffed areas.

Recalling that the Health Ministry offered incentives to attract doctors to rural hospitals, including substantial bonuses, the daily asserted that it remains uncertain if such measures will attract enough interest to alleviate the crisis. ​​​​​​​