Medical Association of Athens struggles to oversee 16,500 private clinics

The Medical Association of Athens (ISA) is facing challenges in overseeing the vast number of private medical facilities in its jurisdiction. Giorgos Patoulis, president of the ISA, reported that the association conducts between 100 and 150 inspections per month, averaging approximately 134 monthly. However, this level of oversight is considered insufficient to cover the more than 16,500 private practices, polyclinics, and diagnostic laboratories operating within the region.

Data reveals that since 2021, the ISA has conducted a total of 8,889 inspections. These checks primarily involve the granting and modification of licenses and the re-examination of primary healthcare providers. Patoulis noted that while medical associations have responsibilities regarding licensing and supervision, they lack the investigative powers and resources held by prosecutorial authorities or state audit agencies. He emphasized that investigating potential criminal activities requires the involvement of official state regulatory and judicial mechanisms.

Concerns have been raised regarding the rise of controversial and potentially dangerous medical practices. Reports indicate hundreds of complaints involving illegal actions, suspicious alternative therapies, and negligence. These include unverified methods such as “blood purification,” “quantum medicine,” and unauthorized “detoxification” IV drips offered in tourist areas like Mykonos and Santorini. Additionally, there are reports of medical professionals performing unauthorized aesthetic procedures, such as oncologists performing Botox treatments, raising questions about patient safety and the adequacy of state protections.