Greece’s weaknesses are not limited to the un-competitiveness and the low level of productivity. Indeed, considering the “fiscal and social perspective”, one of the biggest weaknesses of Greece can be identified in its healthcare system, Ethniko Systima Ygeias, ESY. For long time the country has represented an emblematic example of relatively high health public expenditure with respect to the GDP, that, under some aspects, should be defined as unsustainable. This expenditure conceals numerous structural problems, which have been accumulated for a decade.
Firstly, the system lacks cost containment measures and well-defined funding standards.
The managerial structures are inadequate and, in many cases, staffed by inappropriate and unqualified
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Inequities in access, supply and quality of services also exist; while, expenditure-related inefficiencies are mainly the result of an excessive reliance on relatively expensive inputs, as shown by the high number of specialists and low number of nurses. This, together with foolish pricing and refunding policies are factors spurring under-the-table payments and the underground …show more content…
Between September 2010 and April 2011, the implementation of the health sector measures continues with the Minister Loverdos who raises the cost of the tickets and then introduces, for people without health insurance, the entire payment of all care at the expense of the citizen. At the same time, the budget of public hospitals was cut by 26%. As a result, the staff’s amount of work increased and waiting lists got longer. [KENTIKELENIS, A, et al(2011)]
The reforms also concerned the pharmaceutical expenditure; the target was the reduction in the spending from €4,37 billion in 2010 to €2,88 billion in 2012 and to €2 billion by 2014. But many unexpected results were produced: some drugs became unavailable as a consequences of delays in reimbursement for pharmacies, which were becoming over-indebted; moreover, pharmaceutical companies reduced supplies because of unpaid bills and low profits. [KENTIKELENIS, A, et