“Hospital Inauguration Cannot Hide Healthcare Shortcomings”
The Northern Dodecanese Sector Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has issued a statement following the visit of Greek government ministers and U.S. lawmakers to Kalymnos, sharply criticizing both the political messages delivered during the visit and the government’s policies on healthcare and national affairs.
The party describes as particularly alarming the Health Minister’s reference to Kalymnos as “the border of the West and the United States,” arguing that the government is drawing Greece deeper into NATO’s geopolitical strategies and international rivalries. The statement also recalls historical events involving Cyprus, the Aegean Sea, and the Imia crisis as examples of the consequences of such policies.
Regarding healthcare, KKE argues that only half of the permanent positions at Kalymnos Hospital are currently filled and that many healthcare professionals work under temporary contracts. According to the party, the hospital still lacks the capacity to manage many serious medical cases, making emergency air transfers necessary, while shortages in ambulance services and critical care infrastructure persist. The statement also notes that much of the hospital’s modern medical equipment has been acquired through donations from expatriate Kalymnians rather than state funding.
The party further criticizes the government’s spending priorities, arguing that billions are allocated to military programs while public healthcare and island communities continue to face severe shortages.
Concluding its statement, KKE calls on citizens to oppose current government policies, strengthen collective struggles for a fully funded public healthcare system, and support the party’s efforts to address the long-standing challenges facing Greece’s island communities.
