Greece’s national health system (ESY) is grappling with severe shortages of radiologists, anesthesiologists, and internists, leaving some regional hospitals without specialists during emergency shifts.
The Pammakaristos Hospital workers’ union recently warned of only three filled radiology positions out of five authorized slots. In Lasithi, Crete, the entire region has gone without a radiologist or anesthesiologist during critical on-call periods.
Private sector salaries – more than double public wages – are driving doctors away. In Cyprus, radiologists earn between €8,000 and €14,000 monthly. “Radiology is a very attractive specialty in terms of earnings, but not in the ESY,” said Athanasios Chalazonitis, president of the Hellenic Radiological Society.
Hospitals have turned to teleradiology to fill gaps, but experts warn this threatens specialist training. Internists face crushing workloads with little rest, while the federation of hospital doctors reports roughly 100 surgical suites in Athens remain closed due to staffing shortfalls.

Original source: gr