Full-Frontal Attack by Nikitiadis Against ND in Parliament Over Health System Collapse in the Dodecanese
“Health in the islands is collapsing while the government poses for photos”
George Nikitiadis, MP for the Dodecanese with PASOK and former Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, delivered a scathing criticism of the New Democracy government in the Greek Parliament, accusing it of completely abandoning public healthcare in the Dodecanese and of stubbornly clinging to failed anti-inflation policies like the so-called “Household Basket.” Speaking during the debate on a Health Ministry bill regarding the establishment of the “Association of Dietitians – Nutritionists of Greece”, Nikitiadis accused ND of favoring large private interests by undermining the public health system.
Nikitiadis began his remarks by slamming the extension of the “Household Basket” scheme, which he noted has been renewed eight times without yielding any tangible results. “Mr. Georgiadis started with the baskets—he’s the champion of baskets and price caps,” Nikitiadis said, addressing the minister directly. “Did you ever imagine, Mr. Minister, that you would be renewing them for the eighth time? It was supposed to be a temporary measure. Instead, it has become a symbol of governmental failure. Prices are soaring, and all the government does is recycle failed half-measures.”
He then turned to the crumbling state of the public healthcare system in the Dodecanese islands, highlighting several alarming issues:
Over 10 failed attempts to recruit an internist at the hospital in Kos due to the government’s failure or refusal to offer sufficient incentives to attract doctors.
The Kos hospital meets only 5% of local diagnostic needs, while the island’s summer population exceeds 160,000. Since local microbiologists have ceased cooperation with the national health fund (EOPYY), residents are forced to travel to other islands or pay high out-of-pocket costs for basic blood tests.
“This is tragic. Islanders are paying from their own pockets for essential services. People are forced to travel for simple tests. Is this the government’s healthcare policy? Is this what they call care for the islands?” he asked.
He also highlighted the complete lack of medical staff at Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras”, which sees over six million passengers annually. “Millions of passengers and not a single doctor at the airport! I’ve submitted two parliamentary questions and received no answer. It’s outrageous.”
Nikitiadis cited recent reports from Rhodes newspapers describing the General Hospital of Rhodes as “non-functional,” plagued by shortages and understaffing, comparable to a local health center. His remarks sparked a reaction from Health Minister Georgiadis, to whom Nikitiadis responded by announcing he would soon submit a detailed question in Parliament, along with a comprehensive file covering all Dodecanese islands.
He sharply criticized the Health Ministry’s public relations efforts, mocking hospital administrators for celebrating the arrival of even one temporary doctor: “Are we really celebrating and taking pictures because a single internist finally arrived—and not even on a permanent contract? That’s not a success. It’s an admission of failure. We don’t need photos—we need policies that attract doctors and staff where they are desperately needed.”
Nikitiadis concluded with a shocking example: a resident of Agathonisi was forced to travel to Athens for treatment due to a lack of materials at the Samos hospital, paying €6,000 out of pocket for transport and medical care.
