The doctors’ union demands full payment, permanent recruitment and withdrawal of an Emergency Department coordination procedure. A two-hour work stoppage is scheduled for October 9, followed by participation in the nationwide strike on October 21.
The Doctors’ Union representing public healthcare facilities in Leros, Patmos, Lipsi and Agathonisi — EITHEL has announced protests and further action following its September 30, 2026 general assembly, citing understaffing, excessive on-call duties, shortages of supplies and cuts to payment for work already performed.
At the centre of its complaints is a reported €12,000 reduction in payment for additional on-call shifts worked in May 2026 at Leros State Hospital–General Hospital–Health Centre. According to the union, these shifts amounted to approximately €31,000, but only €19,000 was approved.
The doctors say payment cuts and delays are recurring while they are expected to cover staffing gaps. They demand immediate payment of the difference, a written explanation of the reductions and sufficient funding to ensure all on-call work is paid fully and promptly. They also seek tax-free additional on-call payments and substantial increases in compensation.
A second dispute concerns the appointment of an “Emergency Department On-Call Coordination Officer”. EITHEL is calling for the withdrawal of management document 8257/10-09-2026, raising objections to both its implementation procedure and its provisions.
According to the union, the matter was discussed by the hospital’s Scientific Council without a formal decision or favourable recommendation being issued. It also questions the planned pilot implementation from September 16 to 30, noting that, in its account, the document provides for approval of the appointment and procedure at a subsequent hospital board meeting.
The union argues that coordinating an on-call shift must not mean requiring one doctor to cover cases across different specialties or replace specialists who are absent. Supporting the position of the Federation of Hospital Doctors’ Associations of Greece — OENGE against cross-specialty on-call arrangements, it demands permanent recruitment and clearly defined responsibilities.
The general assembly also calls for elected employee representatives to take their seats on the hospital board immediately and for the Scientific Council’s role to be respected. It criticises the majority of the board of the Medical Association of the Kalymnos District, alleging that it treats hospital doctors’ concerns as “internal hospital matters”.
The union has announced the following actions:
- Friday, October 9, 10:00 a.m.–noon: a two-hour warning work stoppage and a protest at the hospital administrator’s office.
- October 21: participation in OENGE’s nationwide strike, a gathering in the hospital grounds, a protest to management and submission of a resolution on staff shortages.
Regarding outstanding travel-ticket expenses and a housing allowance, which the union links to Law 1881/1990, the assembly decided to serve a formal extrajudicial notice allowing ten working days for a response. If the deadline passes without action, EITHEL says it will pursue a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit against those responsible.
Declaring that doctors’ exhaustion must not become routine, the union is calling for full staffing, increased public funding, adequate equipment and supplies, and public healthcare provided free of charge to everyone.
