Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Raids Have Become the Fashion

PRESS RELEASE

Raids Have Become the Fashion

Police raids seem to have become fashionable. How else can one explain the inspiration of the authorities to enforce the “law”. The Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko and Doctors of the World, both voluntary organizations, were raided two weeks ago with nothing was found out of order. On 7 November the authorities raided the headquarters of ERT. The state broadcaster was shut down last June by the government and employees have occupied the Agia Paraskevi headquarters since then.

We stand by the suffering workers at ERT, as we stand next to each employee for whom the political policies of the last three years have made life much more difficult. The social safety net has gaping holes. As these same inhuman polices continue, we feel it is our duty to provide solidarity and support for the community, along with dozens of other volunteer organizations that have been founded in the last few years.

We hope that the raid on ERT will be the last. Otherwise, if those that govern continue to sow the wind, they may find that they reap a tornado.

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

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Visit from a Delegation of the Global Trade Union Organization “Public Services International”

On Tuesday 5 November, we were visited by ten representatives of the global trade union organization “Public Services International (PSI). They represent 20 million employees working in public service in 150 countries. Their representatives toured the clinic and had the chance to talk with the volunteers and patients. Two of our visitors have uploaded a record of their personal experiences of the visit on their website, together with photographs.

More information about PSI can be found on http://psi-can-greece.org

The two articles written about the visit can be found at http://psi-can-greece.org/news/community-clinic-provides-solidarity-people-greece and the photos of the visit at http://www.flickr.com/photos/53821442@N06/sets/72157637368669063

Thursday, October 31, 2013

“Infotainment” on the Popular TV Show “Eniko” with the Minister of Health

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

Monday, October 28, 2013

A Spot Inspection by a team from the National Organization of Medicines, the Drug Enforcement Police and a magistrate

PRESS RELEASE

A Spot Inspection by a team from the National Organization of Medicines, the Drug Enforcement Police and a magistrate

Thursday morning, 24 October, MCCH received an unannounced inspection by a team of officials from the Greek National Organization for Medicines, and the narcotics police in the presence of a magistrate. The inspection came as a result of a complaint of drugs trafficking. Our volunteers cooperated fully. Our pharmacy was inspected, as was the rest of the clinic. No drugs were found in the class of narcotics, nor were there any other irregularities. Almost simultaneously, the free clinic of the “Doctors of the World” also received a “visit.” As with us, there were no irregularities.

We have requested of the police to inform us who made this complaint; we would like to invite them to our clinic so that they can see how we operate. We are trying to achieve a COMMUNITY clinic.

It strikes us as more than strange that instead of focusing on what impoverishes 3,000,000 uninsured citizens, many of who die helpless because state health care is slowly unraveling, that some decide to “raid” volunteer community clinics during their operating hours. We have NOTHING to hide. The clinic can be visited at any time during our operating hours by anyone who wishes to tour and see how we operate. We have received two surprise inspections in the last ten months, the first by the Medical Association of Athens, and the second last Thursday.

Furthermore, we publicly declare that the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko and its volunteers are not intimidated nor influenced by such actions. It confirms that we are on the right track in helping to preserve the dignity of our uninsured and unemployed fellow citizens.

As long as governments implement the same inhumane policies of excluding the uninsured from the Public Health System, we will continue, along with other community organizations, to stand in solidarity and to offer humanity and dignity to each patient. Additionally, as we consider it our duty and obligation, we will by any means we can denounce such policies, both in Greece and abroad, and fight to reverse them.

NO ONE ALONE IN CRISIS

Thursday, October 24, 2013

A Caravan of Solidarity for MCCH in Italy

A Caravan of Solidarity for MCCH in Italy

In view of the international interest in the humanitarian crisis in Greece, the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko has continued its effort to inform people abroad of the impact of this crisis on ordinary citizens. The Italian feminist organization “Donne nella Crisi”, (women in crisis), together with other Italian organizations of solidarity approached us and we gave them concrete examples of what happens to the uninsured in our country. These organizations decided to launch a “Caravan of Solidarity” for Greece.

This caravan will journey throughout Italy (from the north to the south). At the various stops, there will be many events such as debates, photo exhibits, and showing videos of our clinic and our work here. The cities that will participate are:

22/10 VERONA
25/10 BRESCIA and ROVATO
26-27/10 RHO and CORNAREDO
28/10 MILANO
29/10 LODI
5/11 BOLOGNA
6/11 ROMA
7/11 SALERNO
8/11 COSENZA and VIBO
9/11 BARI
10/11 LECCE
11/11 FIRENZE
12/11 LIVORNO
13/11 MANTOVA
14/11 TORINO
15/11 COMO
20/11 PADOVA

The purpose of the Caravan of Solidarity is to broadcast all over Italy what is going on in Greece. Another reason is to collect supplies for our patients. It will send a forceful message to the Greek government, but also to the Troika (the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund). The message is HUMAN BEINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAT MONEY!

We will keep updated on the progress of the “Caravan” as is proceeds on its course.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The Protest at Alexandra Hospital was a Great Success

The Protest at Alexandra Hospital was a Great Success

A peaceful protest at the entrance of the Alexandra Hospital was successfully carried out on 17 October 2013. The day was the day of action of the Volunteer Community Clinics and Pharmacies in hospitals all across the country. Participating in the action were The Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko, The Community Clinic and Pharmacy for Solidarity of Athens, Society of Cancer Patients, Volunteers, Friends and Physicians (KEFI) and The Team for Solidarity for those with Muscular Sclerosis.

The protest was to give a strong voice to women’s organizations, and the movement “I will not pay”. Doctors and nurses of the hospital and as well as our patients and private citizens, took part. The goal of the protest was to demonstrate, yet once again, that all must have equal access to health care including, of course, the uninsured.

A delegation of the protesters participated in a meeting with the assistant director of the hospital. She gave a personal undertaking that the hospital will accept, from here on, uninsured pregnant women who will be able to give birth with dignity and that there will be no cost passed on to them, or costs passed on to their tax debt. This is a significant step in our battle to open the state hospitals to all uninsured citizens. This, the state is obligated to do, but does not do it. But the employees of the hospitals, in solidarity with simple citizens, are doing what they can to honor this obligation.

We gave a clear message of the inalienable right of all to LIFE and DIGNITY. We have asked for a written answer the hospital’s undertaking. We will continue our struggle with the same unwavering firm stance that ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Reception for the Representative of “Ambassadors of Greece“

With great pleasure, we hosted a reception for Mr. Niko Kolendriano, representative of the Australian-Greek organization “Ambassadors of Greece” (each Greek is an ambassador of

Greece

) on Saturday, 5 October 2013. In a simple, but very touching event for MCCH, our volunteers and fellow citizens attending had the opportunity, to truly understand the love and solidarity shown to us by Greek expatriates in

Australia

. Two Greek communities, in Melbourne and Victoria, together with nine Greek schools and individual citizens gathered a substantial amount, with which they bought medicines and other materials that we were of immediate need to our patients.

The reception demonstrated clearly how our expatriates feel for and support what is happening in this country. Many of them are 3^rd and 4^th generation, but they understand what is happening here, and now.

Toward the end of the event, the close ties of friendship and solidarity between us were related to us through a video. Mrs. Efy Gianna (co-founder of the organization) pledged the continued support of the organization to our work in the coming year. Mrs. Gianna assured us that she will try in every way to communicate the message of support and solidarity to the Greek people from the entire Australian community.

Here are some photographs of the event