When I took over the Ministry of Health, I knew that the biggest problem of Greece’s National Health System wasn’t the lack of doctors or infrastructure — it was the loss of trust.The citizen who waited 9 or 10 hours in an emergency room had lost faith in the state. We had to change that.And we did.
Today, the average waiting time in Greece’s major hospitals has dropped from 9.5 hours to 3.5.That’s not just a statistic on a PowerPoint slide — it’s thousands of people spending fewer hours in pain, in anxiety, and inindignity.It’s proof that the system can work when there is will, organization, and accountability.
The “Bracelets”: A Small Idea, a Big Revolution
When I first saw the patient-tracking wristband system in U.S. hospitals, I thought: Why not in Greece?Technology isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool for transparency and efficiency.
Today, thanks to the electronic wristband system, every patient knows exactly:
- Where they are within the hospital,
- What stage of examination they’re in,
- And when they’re expected to be seen.
And the most important part?No one can now claim, “I waited ten hours,” without the system showing the truth.
Transparency is the greatest victory of this reform.
Emergency Rooms Enter a New Era
At Evangelismos Hospital, the average waiting time dropped from 5.2 to 3.3 hours in just a few months. Why? Because we introduced tele-diagnosis, hired specialized doctors and nurses, and brought structure and accountability back into the system.
At Attikon Hospital, on the 30th of this month, we are inaugurating a brand-new Emergency Department:
- 2,500 square meters,
- 36 diagnostic beds,
- 12 resuscitation stations.
These are not just numbers — these are landmarks of dignity, showing that public health can stand shoulder to shoulder with the private sector.
The EKAV That “Flies”
In the last few months alone:
- We’ve hired 600 new paramedics, with 180 already sworn in.
- We’re taking delivery of 255 new ambulances within six months.
- We’ve added two new rescue helicopters, with six more on the way through the Aegis program.
- We’ve strengthened island emergency transfers, ensuring direct flights to Athens without unnecessary layovers in Syros.
EKAV is no longer the “last hope.”It is now the first line of life.
The New Face of Health: Dignity
When a patient knows they will be treated quickly, respectfully, and transparently, the state wins back its credibility.That’s the real “miracle” we’re building — not just new machines, but a new culture of healthcare.
Every day, every innovation, every small improvement is a step toward a National Health System that doesn’t apologize — it inspires.
I don’t claim that all problems are solved.But we’ve moved from the chaos of 9.5 hours to the normality of 3.5. And that’s not just progress — it’s a political act of responsibility.
Because healthcare doesn’t change with slogans.It changes with results.And the results are here.
Source: pagenews.gr