The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis present the Bill of the Ministry of National Defence[...]

Home >2nd position> The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis present the Bill of the Ministry of National Defence "Regulation of Medical Issues in the Armed Forces and Other Clauses" to the Ministerial Council

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis present the Bill of the Ministry of National Defence "Regulation of Medical Issues in the Armed Forces and Other Clauses" to the Ministerial Council

October 31, 2024

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasand the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis presented to the Ministerial Council, which convened today, Thursday 31 October 2024, presided over by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Bill of the Ministry of National Defence "Regulation of Medical Issues in the Armed Forces and Other Clauses".

The Bill, which is integrated in the overall reform of the Armed Forces with the "2030 Agenda", aims to the substantial upgrade and reorganisation of the Medical Services. Its intention is also to counter the failings of the function of the Military Hospitals, to modernise the framework of hierarchical progression of the military medical personnel and to provide integrated healthcare to the members of the Armed Forces and their families.

"Our goal is for the mightiest Armed Forces in the entire history of our Homeland to acquire the best possible medical services, stressed, among other things, Mr Dendias, with regards to the Bill, which was presented to the Ministerial Council.

From his point of view, Mr Kefalogiannis stated:"The Bill is a reform which heeds the concerns and the needs of the members. With the proposed clauses, the military hospitals acquire financial independence, which secures their viability. At the same time, the expedited compensation of the members' medical expenses is achieved, simplifying the procedures and fighting bureaucracy".

The Bill introduces substantial changes in the field of Medical Services of the Armed Forces, like the foundation of the Training Centre and the Unit for the Treatment of War Trauma, the decrease of time ahead of the commencement of medical specialty, the compensation of day and night shifts, the opportunity for the nurses' private practice, the free selection of a private doctor etc.

In more detail, the Bill includes (11+1) Clauses for the upgrade of Medical Services and the resolution of failings:

1. The financial independence of the military hospitals, the correct pricing of medical services for the members of the Armed Forces, the opportunity to attract their own resources.

2. The opportunity for joint staffing of the Military Hospitals, new system of reassignments.

3. Institutionalisation of the specialty of Professional Soldier Medic for the provision of pre-hospital care.

4. Joint procurements, joint use of medical services.

5. Decrease of time assigned at command posts for military doctors in field units.

6. Decrease of time ahead of the commencement of medical specialty to 2,5 years, zero waiting for specialties with minimum personnel.

7. Assignment of command duties to officers of all specialties of the Medical Corps.

8. Compensation for the shifts of military doctors, compensation for nurses' night shifts, opportunity for nurses' private practice.

9. Expedited payment of medical expenses and compensation of new Health Services (e.g. medically assisted reproduction).

10. On-line use of medical services, free selection of private doctor by the members of the Armed Forces, authorisation for prescriptions from private doctors to military personnel.

11. Night shifts of military pharmacies, medicines' home delivery to individuals unable to rely on themselves.

Furthermore, the establishment of new Health Services is provided for:

• Foundation of a Training Centre and Unit for the Treatment of War Trauma.

• Foundation of an Elderly Care Unit.

• Dentist office for the disabled.

• Upgrade of the Centre for Special Childcare.

• Establishment of an Assisted Living Facility for the Disabled.

Attached herein are the presentation for the "Upgrade of Medical Services" and 9 questions & answers pertaining to the subject and context of the Bill.

PRESENTATION

BILL