Written question – The dire state of the Greek National Health System, which puts the safety of patients and workers at risk – E-004103/2025

Question for written answer  E-004103/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

Protests at Attikon Hospital in Greece highlight the appalling state of the country’s National Health System. Healthcare workers have rightly called for the basic conditions needed for the hospital’s proper functioning to be met. Nonetheless, the Nea Dimokratia Government attempted, in vain, to suppress their protests during a government publicity event held at that very hospital.

The ‘cost-benefit’ policy implemented by all governments for a long time now reflects an EU approach and treats health as a commodity. This is also evidenced by the EU4Health programme for 2025, which envisages a reduction in the health budget. The planned cuts and the sectors allocated the most funding are indicative of the EU’s shift towards the war economy.

The Recovery Fund operates under the same approach, with its funding limited to certain building upgrades, with a view to their commercial exploitation.

On the basis of the above:

• 1.What is the Commission’s view on the urgent demands of healthcare workers and patients, who rightly call for the immediate recruitment of permanent staff, salary increases and an increase in public health funding based on current needs rather than the profitability criterion, which dictates the approach of both the EU and the Recovery Fund?
• 2.What is the Commission’s view on the fact that, while the development of science and technology currently offers enormous potential, 21.9 % of Greeks do not have medical care as a result of the EU’s health guidelines, which apply the ‘cost-benefit’ criterion and impose fiscal costs on state healthcare?

Submitted: 17.10.2025