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Press Release - Vote of Confidence from France’s Doctors

Helliniko 23 November 2012

The Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko is steadily pursuant its efforts to offer medical care to all those who have been cut off from any help by public institutions.  It is also trying to communicate abroad the agony, insecurity and despair felt by the patients who come to our doors.

MCCH has been in contact in Greece, as well as abroad, with several institutions and even individuals who have vouched their sympathy and support in our efforts to help destitute patients the real victims of this crisis.

It in in this sprit that the doctors of the French public hospital for Mental Health – EPS de Ville Evard – have voted their support for the down-trodden Greek people.

It is hoped that such a vote may be the springboard for a change from the negative climate in Europe – a result of the propaganda of all those who wish to see us bow our heads low and who paint us as “lazy bums” who deserve our fate.

MCCH stands firm in its conviction that all citizens, whether insured or not, should be able to obtain public health care.

Vote for the Health Care Crisis in Greece

The doctors of EPS de Ville Evrard wish to express their concern about the dire consequences that have followed the present policy of the government in Greece.  It is affecting the health of many people – especially their mental health.

Such consequences, not to mention the tripling of suicides, should make us all balk.  The existing situation is the sole result of fiscal policy and we should be concerned to see it spread to the rest of Europe.

We are deeply shocked to see people in this country being denied proper health care – whether it be because they lack insurance or as a result of nationality or religion.  Such a neo-Nazi ideology should be outlawed in Europe. 

We wholeheartedly support our Greek medical colleagues in their efforts to alleviate the suffering of patients – especially those who have been affected mentally because of the social insecurity.

Press Release - A Huge Victory

Helliniko 5 November 2012

The Metropolitan Community Clinic Of Helliniko, in line with its goal of providing health care of offering health care to each of our fellow citizens has managed an important victory in opening the doors of the public health system which had abandoned the uninsured, the indigent and the unemployed.

An advisor to the Minister of Health, contacted The head of the Medical Team of The Metropolitan Community Clinic of Helliniko (MCCH), Dr. George Vichas, and requested input on how the Department of Health could help uninsured patients . 

The contact was made as a direct result of a segment aired on CNN in mid-September

The CNN spot exposed the concerns of cancer patients in our new period of austerity.

In the last two years, as a result of austerity measures, the poor, the unemployed and the uninsured are finding it increasingly impossible to gain access to the public health system.

It seems that the ministry is starting to search for positive solutions for uninsured citizens.  In the telephone conversation, with advisors to the Minister of Health, Dr. Vichas stated that all uninsured citizens should have access to the public health system, without exception.

The ministry of Health, according to the following article (http://news.in.gr/greece/article/?aid=1231220358) apparently ensures access to the public health system for all those with serious health problems.

MCCH has worked steadily for the past year to insure that each of our citizens has free access to health care. 

This is our goal, and for that we will continue to fight.

Press Release - It’s a baby girl – Our first birth!

                                                                                   

Helliniko 12 October 2012

It is with great pleasure that we announce our first birth.  On 12 October 2012 a healthy baby girl was born with the help of the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko (MCCH). 

Two months ago, a couple came to the clinic who not only did not have the ability to pay for the costs of childbirth, they did not have the funds for any of the prenatal tests up to the seventh month of pregnancy. 

The couple's story is similar to hundreds of patients we serve each month.  Their shop closed.  With debts to the insurance fund, the family was left without health insurance.  Their three-year-old boy had not even had his vaccinations.  They applied to a public hospital which denied them services as they could not pay.  Further, they did not offer the couple any alternative route to find care.

MCCH contacted a private hospital which bore the entire cost of prenatal care and childbirth.  And that was how a healthy girl came into the world.

The policies which led to our patient’s exclusion from the public health system meant that a period that should be one of the most beautiful in a woman’s life became a living nightmare.

The state has a duty to put an end to these tragedies.  All citizens should be given access to the public health system.  Until that day, we will continue to do what we can to fill the gap.

Press Release - Initiative for specialized medical equipment and drugs in public hospitals

 Helliniko 8 August 2012

The Metropolitan Community Clinic Of Helliniko, in line with its goal of supporting providers of public health,  gave medical equipment and medicines to two public hospitals, Hospital "Asklepieion" in Voula and the Cancer Hospital "Metaxa" in Piraeus.  On Thursday, July 26, 2012, the social workers of "Metaxa" received drugs including cancer and painkillers, and medical equipment (colostomy bags, under-pads, mattresses to protect against bed sores, etc.) to cater for needy patients. 

On Saturday 04 August 2012 MKIE delivered to "Asklepieion" hospital equipment and supplies (including colostomy bags, under-pads and urinary catheters, filters and piping for ventilators, tracheotomy packages for both closed and open suction, syringes, etc.) for the needs of the hospital.  These supplies have been donated to MKIE by individual and companies as well as various community initiatives to collect medicines.  The material is sorted at MKIE by volunteers and then assigned to the place that it can do the most good. 

We, the volunteers of MKIE will continue with all our might in the effort to support Public Health and our struggling fellow Citizens.  We insist: "No one is alone in this crisis."