The Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helleniko in Paris - 23/3/2013

Helliniko 02 April 2013

Press Release

MCCH in Paris – invited to “Solidarité franco- grecque pour la Santé”

A particularly important initiative highlighting the major theme of public health in Greece today and the role taken on by doctors and volunteers in community clinics and other initiatives of community support took place recently in France.

The event was organized by the Collectif: Solidarité franco- grecque pour la Santé, (http://solidaritefrancogrecque.wordpress.com) a group founded by Greeks who live in Paris, but whose membership is now largely French.  It took place in Paris on 23 March 2013 with an impressive gathering of people from France and other European countries, featured representatives of trade union movements. 

There was a particularly strong presence from the Greek community in Paris.  They discussed the current situation and explored ways of supporting and showing solidarity with the health sector.

The Metropolitan Community Clinic of Helliniko (MCCH) was represented by Dr. George Vichas who elaborated on the purpose and the role of the voluntary community clinics.  A barrage of questions from the attendees followed, especially on what immediate actions could be organized from abroad to support Greece. 

Intense debate and fruitful discussions followed.  At the end of the workshop it was decided to organise JOINT ACTIONS, with the goal of resisting and reversing the austerity policies that bring misery to the people throughout Europe.  It seems that the problems are increasing to epidemic proportions.

Even in France the public health system is in the crosshairs of the Government with the goal of privatizing the system.  Recently obstetric clinics have been closed, clinics and hospitals have been merged and there are deficiencies in key specialties (cardiologists, neurologists, etc) in the major hospitals of Paris.

On the day the event was held, a protest was staged in Normandy in reaction to the closing of the public obstetric clinic.  At the protest, demonstrators read a resolution of support from MCCH

In this spirit, we will attend a conference entitled "AN ALTERNATIVE FOR EUROPE" which will take place in Athens on 7 to 9 June 2013.  The purpose is to exchange ideas and explore how we can protect basic human rights of health for all.  One of the central themes of this conference will be the inalienable right of all to have equal access to health services.

Click above to see a video which was presented at the Alter conference of 23 March (in Greek with French subtitles):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h2qZZ7OPbgY

Source of photos and video:  http://solidaritefrancogrecque.wordpress.com/