Rethymnon Hospital

It is now years since the basic framework of the Rethymnon Hospital extension was completed, and, in spite of repeated calls, the work is still not finished. The project has been through fire and water: funding approval, putting out to tender, cancellation of the tender due to changes in the law, and resubmission.

The contractor has now finally said that he is ready to start work. “We hope that this time the extension work start dates will be kept to. This is a vitally important project that will benefit the operation of the hospital and provide space for certain departments currently functioning in third-world conditions. So, even after this long delay, we believe that this is a step forward”, said Mr Andreas Xanthos, President of the National Health Doctors’ Union of Rethymnon.

The extension is expected to be completed by summer 2008, but even then it will still not be enough to cope with the ever-increasing demands of the Rethymnon health sector. However, the hospital’s biggest problem is the lack of medical, nursing and paramedical staff, while the Pediatric Clinic is in particular difficulties at the moment.

Doctors expect Health Minister Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos to deal immediately with a series of issues concerning the permanent health staff of Rethymnon Province.