Kalymnos Medical Association calls for inclusion of remote islands in doctors’ incentive program
The Provincial Medical Association of Kalymnos “Skevos Zervos” has called on the Greek Ministry of Health to include several remote islands of the Kalymnos district in the new financial incentive program aimed at attracting and retaining doctors in small island health facilities.
In a letter addressed to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, the association referred to the recent announcement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding a donation from the “Stelios Haji-Ioannou Philanthropic Foundation” to the Greek State. The donation will fund financial incentives for doctors to work in healthcare structures on 47 small islands with winter populations of fewer than 4,000 residents.
The letter was also copied to several officials and institutions, including the Prime Minister, Alternate Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki, Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistokleous, the Members of Parliament for the Dodecanese, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, the mayors of Kalymnos, Astypalaia, Patmos, Leipsoi and Agathonisi, the head of the 2nd Regional Health Authority Christos Roilos, the Panhellenic Medical Association, members of the Kalymnos Medical Association and media outlets.
According to the association, several border islands in the Kalymnos district meet the population criteria of the program, including Pserimos, Astypalaia, Patmos, Leipsoi, Arki and Agathonisi.
The association urges the government to include these islands in the scheme in order to strengthen the presence of doctors and improve healthcare services for residents of these remote island communities.
The letter is signed by the President of the Kalymnos Medical Association, Gerasimos Apostolatos, and the General Secretary, Michail Mavros.
