Adonis Georgiadis: The conversation on X with a patient’s mother about available surgeries

An unexpected exchange took place on X between the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, and a patient’s mother. The minister had aimed to expedite a surgery using the new evening surgery slots.

It all started when a woman posted about her son, who needed surgery for an ACL tear, which would require at least a five-month wait in the public health system. “But by then, he’ll need to work during the season because his job is seasonal. So he can’t schedule the surgery. Private hospitals asked for €3,000,” she wrote on X, tagging Mr. Georgiadis.

The Minister of Health sought to help, explaining to the insured man’s mother that availability was opening up due to the evening surgery program. “Good morning and Merry Christmas. If you wish, send me a message with your details, and we’ll definitely find an available surgery slot immediately since the free evening surgeries are clearing up the waiting lists at great speed. I wish you a speedy recovery,” he wrote.

The woman’s reply was rather unexpected, as she lashed out at Mr. Georgiadis, saying, “I’d rather dip my feet into a lake full of piranhas.”

“The reason I posted what I did wasn’t to get a favor from the minister. What I’m going through is what all Greeks are going through right now, who haven’t learned to live on political favors. I’d rather dip my feet into a lake full of piranhas. I feel sorry for the state of public healthcare. Truly, very much.”

In response, Mr. Georgiadis explained that his intention was genuine and clarified that he wasn’t offering favors but leveraging the ministry’s centralized access to the unified surgery list to identify openings.

“I didn’t want to do you any favor, and I don’t do favors. It’s just that we have centralized access to the entire unified surgery list, and we can see where gaps arise due to the free evening surgeries, which are now happening en masse. Therefore, we can tell you which clinic has no waiting list. My intention was genuine, but as you wish. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a speedy recovery,” he replied.

The post Adonis Georgiadis: The conversation on X with a patient’s mother about available surgeries appeared first on ProtoThema English.

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