Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-06-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader briefed on healthcare sector

[01] PASOK leader briefed on healthcare sector

Papandreou was briefed on the problems faced by staff, saying afterwards that PASOK's goal was to put forward and "cure" problems in the health sector, and not to "sweep them under the rug".

He said he was aware of the problems in the National Healthcare System (ESY), many of which, he conceded, were rooted in the years of preceding PASOK governments.

"We have the political volition to support and modernise the national health system," Papandreou said, accusing the present government of a "flippant" handling of the health sector issues.

Papandreou outlined his party's platform for the health sector, and pledged to render the ESY strong and financially viable through an increase in public spending on health by 1 percentage point of GDP, implementation of a new policy of preventative care, year-round healthcare, introduction of electronic health cards, and an integrated system of social care and provision of effective and quality health services.

He further promised to introduce a new salary scale in the ESY, new working hours for doctors, and expansion of the afternoon outpatient services at the state hospitals.

Turning to the matter of hospital supplies, Papandreou said that for the past two years procurements have been made through direct assignment, resulting in profiteering at the expense of the citizens, and promised to establish a new procurements system that would be transparent and decentralised.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Papandreou.

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