PRESS
RELEASE
“Infotainment”
on the Popular TV Show “Eniko” with the Minister of Health
Dr. George Vichas, a volunteer doctor with
the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helleniko, took part in a “Town Hall”
style discussion on the popular television program “Enikos” with the Minister
of Health Mr. Andonis Georgiadis on Monday 21 October. Dr. Vichas participated in the belief that
during show some of the key areas of public health would be discussed. Instead, during the first 90 minutes of the
show, presidents of a variety of organizations paraded in front of the camera,
while the Minister of Health put them in their place with a few barbed
comments.
After a persistent effort, a 42 year old
long term unemployed and uninsured citizen, FINALLY was able to seize the
floor. From him, the minister heard an
emotional outpouring on the truly massive health problems faced by uninsured
citizens. The Minister did not respond effectively
to these comments. The show’s host, Mr.
Chatzinikolao then gave the microphone to Dr. Vichas who stated the problems
faced by 3,000,000 uninsured citizens. He
effectively kept the discussion on target pointing out that the accounting
measures taken by the ministry were being paid for in lives lost.
It is a shame that a public debate took
place under such circumstances – when it was supposed to answer the public’s
questions. It is indeed surprising that
this Minister of Health (chosen for this assignment only four months ago and,
according to his own account, still unfamiliar with the health area) knew of
problems involving the health area that had first appeared as far back as 2000
and used such informed rhetoric to silence his astounded listeners. For the sake of argument, let us imagine that
this minister is gifted and well informed on all problems concerning
health. Let us also imagine that certain
individuals asked questions that the common people might have asked. Let’s imagine again that the whole show was
organized to inform the dazed public. But the end result was to blur the health
issues in question.
When the Minister of Health can prattle on
for three solid hours and mention almost nothing other than “accounting” and
“money” then even a fool finally realizes that there is something seriously
wrong. Cannot the distinguished minister
understand that he is responsible for the lives of his citizens? Cannot the distinguished minister realize
that by “cutting costs” he is also snuffing out LIVES?
Of course he realizes it. No matter what games the media plays in the
interest of “infotainment” the burning truth is still there, as bright as the
sun. Three million citizens are shut out
from the public health system and this has simply, but surely terminated many
lives. What is the minister’s answer to
this?
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY CLINIC AT HELLENIKO
Working Hours
(MONDAY-FRIDAY 10:00-14:00) (MONDAY 17:00-20:00)
(TUESDAY 14:00-20:00) (WEDNESDAY 16:00-20:00) (THURSDAY 14:00-20:00)
(FRIDAY 14:00-19:00) (SATURDAY 10:00-14:00)
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: +30 210 9631950
ADDRESS: Inside the old American Military Base, 200m away from the Traffic Police of the Municipality of Helleniko, next to the Cultural Center of Helleniko
Post code TK16777, Elliniko, Attiki, Greece
Blog http://mkie-foreign.blogspot.gr/ Email mkiellinikou@gmail.com
Working Hours
(MONDAY-FRIDAY 10:00-14:00) (MONDAY 17:00-20:00)
(TUESDAY 14:00-20:00) (WEDNESDAY 16:00-20:00) (THURSDAY 14:00-20:00)
(FRIDAY 14:00-19:00) (SATURDAY 10:00-14:00)
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: +30 210 9631950
ADDRESS: Inside the old American Military Base, 200m away from the Traffic Police of the Municipality of Helleniko, next to the Cultural Center of Helleniko
Post code TK16777, Elliniko, Attiki, Greece
Blog http://mkie-foreign.blogspot.gr/ Email mkiellinikou@gmail.com
