Doctors and staff report two incidents in four days, calling for urgent building inspections and immediate safety measures.
Sections of a suspended ceiling fell at Leros State Hospital and Health Centre on Thursday, October 15, 2026, according to a joint statement by the Doctors’ Union (E.I.THE.L.) and the Hospital Employees’ Union, raising renewed concerns over patient and staff safety.
The unions describe this as the second such incident in four days. An earlier collapse reportedly occurred on October 12 in the renovated Infectious Diseases Unit of the Internal Medicine Department.
According to their statement, photographs taken by the Employees’ Union president show extensive damage to the suspended ceiling, with metal supports and ceiling panels scattered across the floor.
Patient reportedly injured by falling material
The unions also report that a female patient was injured while waiting at the hospital after material fell from a ceiling. They say her injuries were fortunately not serious. The statement does not specify which incident caused the injury.
They are calling for a full investigation and written information on the measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents.
Criticism over renovations and maintenance funding
The unions sharply criticise the government’s presentation of the hospital renovation works, referring to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit on July 28, 2026, alongside Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and health administration and local government representatives.
They argue that infrastructure improvements must be accompanied by effective action on safety, maintenance and staffing.
According to information cited by the Doctors’ Union, maintenance funding for the hospital complex’s dozens of buildings amounts to approximately €50,000 this year, while its Technical Service remains severely understaffed.
Allegations of pressure on staff
The two unions also allege that employees have faced intimidation intended to discourage them from publicising problems at the hospital. They pledge to use all lawful union and institutional channels to defend members facing pressure, threats or adverse treatment for raising safety concerns.
Their demands include:
- Immediate closure of unsafe areas and effective protective measures.
- Urgent inspections of the buildings by qualified engineers.
- Repairs to hazardous damage.
- Adequate maintenance funding and staffing for the Technical Service.
- An investigation into the patient’s injury and written information on preventive measures.
- An end to any intimidation of employees who report safety problems.
The unions are urging the responsible authorities to intervene before another incident results in more serious consequences, stressing that patient and staff safety depends on adequate funding, maintenance and staffing.
