[AMNA]
Citizens are increasingly turning to Greece’s public healthcare system (ESY) for emergency cases, with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis’ initiative to involve health centers in relieving pressure on major hospitals proving effective. On Thursday night, emergency care at Athens hospitals was supported by local health centers on Alexandras Avenue, and in Maroussi, Kallithea and Lavrio.
The Alexandras Health Center alone handled 90,237 emergency cases last year, a number rivaling emergency visits to major Athens hospitals like KAT and Gennimatas.
In total, Athens hospitals received 1.3 million emergency cases in 2024, a 66,500 increase from the previous year. With more than half of emergency cases potentially manageable in primary healthcare units, health centers have proven crucial in alleviating pressure on emergency departments.
According to ministry data, primary care facilities saw 3.3 million emergency cases last year, reflecting a shift toward public healthcare. Hospital admissions, which saw a record 2.5 million in 2024, remain largely unaffected by the pandemic.