Greek health sector workers protest as hospitals buckle under covid pressure

Greekpublichealthsectorworkersprotested in Athens on Mondayashospitalshave become overwhelmed by anewsurge inCOVID-19 cases and authorities consider further restrictions.

Workerssaid they areunderpaid, overworked andunderstaffed in the midst of the pandemic. They called for more hirings, for the government to include them on a list of hazardous professions which receive hazard pay benefits, and for private doctors to be ordered to assist, adding that a decision by the government to suspend unvaccinatedhealthsectorworkersincreased staff shortages.

Greece made vaccinations mandatory for nursing home staff in July andhealthcareworkersin September.

Hospitals, particularly in northern Greece, are scrambling to treat patients, as daily cases reachednewrecord highs this month averaging over six thousand, and wards are running out of space for patients.

"The stretchers at thehospitalson duty are increasing by the dozens,patients are being chosen for the intensive care units by priority, based on their ages," said president of the Public HospitalWorkersFederation Michalis Giannakos. "Patients lives are in danger, and staff that have remained are like elastic bands stretched from clinic to clinic, from ward to ward."

Last week authorities announcednewmeasures which require the unvaccinated to provide negative tests to enter cafes and restaurants, state services and banks. Employees in the public and privatesectornow also need to test twice a week to enter their workplace.

The government is trying to avoid another lockdown, but with only about 60 percent of the population of 11 million vaccinated, it is considering further restrictions, including possibly more mandatory vaccinations and testing.

Greekgovernment spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said on Monday thehealthsystem isunderintensepressure, adding only one in ten being treated in intensive care units for coronavirus is fully vaccinated.

Eleven private clinics have volunteered to provide space forCOVIDpatients, he said, while the government has asked for private doctors to volunteer their help, and could order them to provide their services if necessary.