Another case, reflecting the huge health problems, especially on the islands, was recorded in Mister last Sunday (4/6), where woman died in a farmer’s cart as there was no ambulance to take her to the hospital.

This is not the first time that the inhabitants of the third largest island in the Dodecanese have faced serious shortcomings observed in the healthcare sector, but this is one of those cases where these shortcomings are revealed in the most tragic way through the death of a patient who never got to the hospital.

It all happened last Sunday, when a woman who had health problems felt unwell and lost consciousness. as a result of which he needs immediate transfer to a medical facility. Unfortunately at that time there was no ambulancesince the only one available on the island was in another incident.

Therefore, the patient’s relatives, trying to save her life, decided to transport her on a collective farm cart. Unfortunately, they did not have time, as the woman was on the road.

Ambulance all over the island

He spoke about the serious shortcomings recorded on the island cathimerini.gr Konstantinos Tsampis, representative of the EKAV unit in Kos.

As Mr. Zampis explained, there is only one ambulance available on the island for all emergencies. “We have seven permanent employees and three assistants. Meanwhile, in order to properly operate and staff the ambulance, 11 people are needed around the clock. Unfortunately, there are no available employees, and we have been facing this problem for several years. From time to time, some come for reinforcements, but leave. Since August last year, we have had only one ambulance, winter and summer,” he said.

K. Zampis said that all the competent authorities have been informed about this situation, while stressing that at the moment there are about 150,000 people on the island with all the ensuing consequences for their security.

New, but … stalled

On the same wave were the statements of the president of the trade union of workers (POEDIN) in Kos, Garifalias Karanasiou, who noted that this is a chronic problem for which workers have mobilized many times.

“This is nothing new for the island. All hospitals sigh. We have an island with 40,000 permanent residents, which is the third largest tourist destination. Unfortunately, the gaps have not been filled. There are ambulances that stand still due to lack of staff. Proper recruitment was not carried out, as a result of which we have tragic incidents. This woman could be our mother, our sister,” he stressed.

In addition, Ms. Caranasiou described how a new ambulance is available on the islandwhich, however, is immobilized at the new EKAV station, as there are no people to manage it.

“The only ambulance that was there was for another accident. Thus, the whole island was discovered, since the distance from one side to the other is very large. The woman had to be transported, but there was no staff. Only one shift every day. Relatives tried to transport her, but they did not succeed. It’s about criminal responsibility. In order to change the situation, it is necessary to recruit permanent staff and staff all hospital specialties,” he concluded.