BBC Reports Greece is the Sick Man of Europe

According to BBC News, the financial crisis in Greece has put the right to state health protection in peril.  Brutal budget cuts have slashed hospital budgets by up to 40%, spraining an already understaffed, under-supplied and, in places, corrupt health system.More importantly, growing economic inequality has more and more low-income and middle class people losing state health care access.

Nikitas Kanakis, a paediatrician and director of Medecins du Monde in Greece told BBC news:”If a country’s financial fortunes are looking well, then health is a top priority”.”But when you’re squeezed for survival, you’re bound to pass up on going to the doctor to check on a suspicious mole or cough”, Kanakis added.

BBC news also presented the story of Marina Derdevian that is an indicative of the health decline in Greece. According to BBC News, Marina Derdevian was never well off but her fortunes and health have declined as Greece’s economic woes have worsened. In 2009 local banks foreclosed her business because of unpaid loans.

Her life savings – 30,000 euros ($39,000; £25,000) – went to lawyers. Her debts deepened. And the stress triggered a stroke, leaving her hemiplegic, and in a wheelchair for life.A year later, the shopkeeper was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and now state doctors have halted her cancer treatment because of unpaid social security and medical contributions, BBC News says.

BBC News’ article concludes that cuts in health sector would have a negative impact on people, posing the question: “Can Greece impose health cuts without having a negative impact on Greeks’ health?”