# Zakynthos health system and leptospirosis outbreak > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zakynthos-health-system-challenges > Updated: 2026-08-27T09:28:27.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 4. By late August 2026, the staffing crisis at Zakynthos General Hospital intensified, particularly regarding pediatric care. The Union of Hospital Doctors (ENIZ) reported that the pediatric clinic effectively exists ‘only on paper’ due to a lack of specialists for morning shifts or on-call duties. This shortage forced the hospital to rely on non-specialized staff, rural doctors, and private pediatricians, a situation ENIZ described as “unacceptable and dangerous for child safety.” The lack of pediatric services also rendered the maternity clinic practically inoperable. In response to the administrative instability following the resignation of director Christos Thanopoulos, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis announced the temporary appointment of Tasos Liaskos as the hospital administrator. Liaskos, a former Deputy Minister, will manage the facility until a formal selection process is completed through ASEP. ## Claims - The pediatric clinic has only one permanent pediatrician who covers daily on‑call shifts. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The internal medicine department operates with one doctor instead of five required positions. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nursing staff works at about 60 % of the required positions. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The pulmonology clinic is closed, staffed only by a doctor with a temporary block. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Union of Hospital Doctors of Zakynthos warns of inevitable hospital collapse without significant intervention. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Over 90 % of fatal or serious injuries from traffic accidents involve youths and are caused by illegal “guarones” vehicles. (single source) - 99 % of serious traffic accident victims are taken to the Zakynthos hospital. (single source) - The surgical department has only four of six doctor positions filled. (single source) - Tasos Liaskos has been appointed as the temporary administrator of Zakynthos Hospital. (single source) - The appointment of Tasos Liaskos is temporary until a new selection process via ASEP is finalized. (single source) - The Ministry of Health achieved 100% absorption of the Recovery and Resilience Facility funds. (single source) - Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis will attend 13 ceremonies for renovated health centers and hospital departments in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Zakynthos General Hospital faces critical pediatric staffing shortage The Union of Hospital Doctors of Zakynthos warns of a critical lack of pediatric coverage at Zakynthos General Hospital, forcing the use of non-specialists during the peak tourist season. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zakynthos-general-hospital-faces-critical-pediatric-staffing-shortage ### 2026-08-12: Zakynthos General Hospital clarifies medical staffing levels The Zakynthos General Hospital administration released staffing data to address concerns regarding medical capacity and summer surges in patient numbers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zakynthos-general-hospital-clarifies-medical-staffing-levels ### 2026-07-29: Zakynthos Hospital Faces Critical Staff Shortages Amid Tourist Season Zakynthos Hospital is critically understaffed, with only one internal‑medicine doctor, a single pediatrician, 60 % nursing capacity, and a surge in severe traffic accidents, prompting calls for urgent hiring. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zakynthos-hospital-faces-critical-staff-shortage-amid-tourism-season ### 2026-07-23: Zakynthos patient in critical condition as suspected leptospirosis case A 56‑year‑old man from Zakynthos is in intensive care as a suspected leptospirosis case, the latest of four infections on the island this year, highlighting delayed rodent control and public‑health concerns. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zakynthos-man-in-critical-condition-suspected-of-leptospirosis --- Cite as: Zakynthos health system and leptospirosis outbreak. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zakynthos-health-system-challenges