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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-21
CONTENTS
[01] PM: Modernisation of IKA a chief target
[01] PM: Modernisation of IKA a chief target
Modernisation of the state's Social Security Foundation (IKA), which
covers the majority of working people in Greece, is a chief target of
the government, prime minister Costas Karamanlis stressed on Tuesday,
during a visit to the IKA offices in the district of Peristeri, which
he noted was one of the largest IKA branches, serving more than 3,200
people daily.
Karamanlis said that significant steps forward have been made both with
respect to equipment and staffing, and to upgrading the quality of
services provided, but conceded that all the problems have not been
solved and deficiencies and staff shortages existed, and made
particular note of the long waiting lists for doctors of specific
specialisations and delays in certain microbiology laboratories.
The premier said that upgrading was also necessary of the three-digit
telephone line "184" for setting up medical appointments, while renewal
of equipment and staffing are also needed.
"We know what the needs are and are setting the wheels in motion for
filling those needs," Karamanlis said, noting that "tenders for renewal
of the laboratories' equipment are already in progress".
The chief target is the modernisation of IKA, the social security fund
that covers the great majority of the working people, the prime
minister said, adding that a draft law was being prepared providing for
the separation of the fund's healthcare services from the insurance
division, aiming at ensuring greater efficiency and better quality of
services.
In the context of the upgrading of the IKA services, Karamanlis
continued, a new preventive medicine program will be introduced on
September 1, initially in 8 IKA branches, including that of Peristeri,
on a pilot basis. The program comprises full diagnostic testing and a
full annual check-up for the IKA insured.
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