Greek NGO warns staff lacking in migrant centers
Source: InfoMigrants: reliable and verified news for migrants – InfoMigrants
In Greece, there is an average of one doctor per 635 people and not enough interpreters, with no physicians at all in over a dozen camps. The Greek NGO Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) warned in a September 5 report of “persisting severe reception deficiencies” and a lack of staff in migrant reception centers throughout the country.
The report was based on data through June 30, when there were only 29 doctors “employed across all camps, averaging just one doctor per 635 people among the 18,412 residents.”
The data pertain to all structures on the mainland and the East Aegean islands.
“Furthermore,” it added, “13 of the 32 camps, including some housing hundreds or even thousands of residents on June 30, 2024, such as Samos (2,255 residents), Kos (1,263 residents) and Katsikas (789 residents), have no doctors at all.”
Lack of nurses and interpreters
“In terms of staffing, most camps have either one or no psychologist, midwife, or social worker. The nursing staff is also critically insufficient, with only 92 nurses across all structures, averaging just one nurse for every 200 residents,” the report noted.
The report also pointed to a critical lack of interpreters, with only 69 available across all locations, averaging one interpreter for every 267 residents. “This is especially problematic given the need for multiple languages in each camp. For example, 20 out of 32 centers have one or no interpreter,” it stated.
Also read: Healthcare access program for migrants extended in Greece
Large numbers of Afghans and Syrians
“It is important to note that Greek legislation mandates the provision of financial assistance to all asylum seekers residing within the country’s reception system,” RSA stressed in the report.
“However, in practice, many do not receive this assistance or experience significant delays, despite being eligible. According to the data, on 30 June 2024, out of 15,100 eligible individuals residing in camps, only 6,505 were receiving financial assistance, while 8,595 were not, resulting in a receipt rate of just 43 percent,” it stated.
The data on asylum seekers in Greece on which the NGO’s analysis was based, were released recently as part of a parliamentary review. As of June 30, most of the asylum seekers were from either Afghanistan (27 percent) or Syria (23 percent).
Also read: Greece: Sick without papers
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