Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to address the Parliament on Tuesday regarding the new health bill that institutionalizes the role of the “personal physician”. This initiative is part of the government’s plan to reform the National Health System (ESY) and improve services for citizens across the country.
Mitsotakis is expected to highlight his government’s efforts to upgrade primary healthcare and the Greek National Healthcare system during the introduction of the new bill.
The bill seeks to improve public health with a focus on prevention, universal healthcare access, and reducing inequalities. It also introduces the option for every citizen to register for free with a doctor in their area, significantly expanding the pool of doctors who can become personal physicians.
A key feature of the new health bill is the financial incentives it gives to young doctors provided they choose to specialize in General/Family Medicine or Internal Medicine in 2025. This initiative will offer these doctors a one-time grant of 40,000 euros.
Additionally, the concept of a personal pediatrician is being introduced in the bill, offering free healthcare access to approximately 530,000 children nationwide.
The upgrade of the ESY, which has faced accumulated challenges for decades, has become a personal commitment of the Greek PM during his government’s second term.
Mitsotakis’ presence in parliament today is seen as an attempt on his part to convey the message that he is aware of the existing difficulties and the long-standing dysfunctions of the country’s healthcare system.
The prime minister is further expected to outline the new health bill’s measures that address chronic inefficiencies, including the 10% increase in doctors’ salaries, the rise in allowances and on-call payments, a 10% increase in staffing and incentives for doctors to work in remote areas where shortages are more severe.
