The health system in Athens

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Many people speak wonders of the Spanish health system, and probably whit reason, as it at least still maintains its public image in a way, although it is full of defects in the eyes of those who are already accustomed to it. Various details can be highlighted from the Greek health system which, depending on whose perspective you look at them from will be better or worse, but are, without doubt, different.

Before anything else, remember that during your Erasmus you have to keep your European Health Insurance Card on you at all times, and if you are affiliated with a private insurance company, it would be useful to claim on whatever may happen to you, as we are not invincible, and you never know when you might need to see a doctor.

Some useful words for when you need to get yourself to a hospital:

* Hospital: νοσοκομείο (nosokomío)

* Doctor: γιατρός (yiatrós)

* Ambulance: ασθενοφόρο (ascenoforo)

Where are the hospitals in Athens?

Right, the first thing that you should know is that in the Greek capital there is more of an abundance of private clinics than of public hospitals, which is why, even though there should be a minimum of one per neighbourhood, there isn't, and people often go to a private pediatrician for their whole life.

However, there is the "medical zone", the easiest place to go to if you need help is Megaro Moussikis in the centre. Along this huge street, with the Line 3 (Blue) metro station with the same name as it, you will find various hospitals, among which is a university one. Likewise, not very far away going down to Evanggelismos or going up to the Zografou neighbourhood, there are also numerous hospitals.

You can easily get there via the underground, by bus or by taxi if it's urgent or at night time. From my own experience, I recommend that you take a taxi. Remember where they need to take you to, as on one occasion a taxi driver tried to take me outside of the city to be able to charge me more.

How do they work?

In general, in a similar way to Spain: an appointment is requested upon presenting documentation, and you are attended to in due course. However, it was here where I experienced something new, and I am going to tell you what I saw in the two unique occasions that I had to go to a hospital.

The Emergency Room

One night, my flatmate became very ill, and we had to go to a hospital immediately. That time we took a taxi, and I had to make sure that they also didn't take us to one in the centre that says "hospitals are closed overnight". Although this doesn't seem alike to any European city, as common sense dictates it should be impossible, but don't be fooled because the emergency services of course function 24/7, only that not all hospitals have them.

We arrived at a hospital in the Evanggeismos area and we asked at the desk inside for a urologist (the good thing about Greek is that all medical or scientific words in Spanish come from this language, so it is easy to understand).

They quickly sent us to the urology zone without wasting a second and without asking us anything, and when we spoke with the nurses, they immediately went to find a doctor on call, who took less than ten minutes to appear and attend to us, literally, and our emergency.

- Nobody asked us for any kind of documentation.

- We didn't have to wait at all.

During the consultancy they ran a test on the urine sample on-site, the doctor got the results and recommended we go to an emergency pharmacy and buy a certain type of antibiotic. In less than 40 minutes we were outside, we went to a pharmacy in the centre, and we went back home. It took us an hour maximum, that night.

Of course, this could have been because of luck, but it gave me the impression that, in comparison with Spanish emergency services, it was practically empty, and they attended to you immediately, without the need for lots of bureaucracy. In our situation there was a pro, although she brought the necessary documentation with her.

On the other hand, it is known that people pay cash to the doctor even in public hospitals, which can be influential in that many don't rely on this service or prefer to go to trusted doctors, having to pay either way.

Be what it may, we didn't experience a single problem, and we were thankful that they gave priority to the situation and not to the identification.

Without a booked appointment

The second time I went to a hospital it was for a routine visit and for a blood test. I was accompanied by a Greek friend, who tried to find out if it was necessary to have an appointment or, being something quick, if I could be seen to on the same day. To my surprise, it was possible. In front of the Doctor's door was a line of patients who, like in a butcher's shop, waited their turn to enter and would leave shortly after with instructions relating to their problem.

Once again, I was seen practically immediately without the need for much bureaucracy. Once inside, the primary doctor analysed my symptoms and then filled out a small card, for which I needed my EHIC. However, I already had an answer as to what I should do, and I was soon outside and waiting to request a blood test.

At the attention desk, they told me that they could do a blood test immediately, but it would cost €7, two things that were totally out of the ordinary for me. As predicted, some nurses attended to me and after an hour I already had the results and everything that I needed.

- Ease of care without an appointment for cases of low severity or that are easy to identify.

- Little bureaucracy.

- Service Costs.

- Immediate attention and short waiting times.

So, to sum up, my conclusions are that medical attention isn't bad and, above all, is focused on being concise and quick. The ease it offers without asking for much documentation from foreigners, or for them to wait a long time, is a huge advantage, as it makes you feel as though they at least will give priority to the problem before your identity. On the other hand the fact that you have to pay for health services such as visits or certain services in cash seems, to me, a bit contradictory to the idea of "public health", but as long as it's not something extremely serious or something that requires many visits to a doctor, there is peace of mind about being able to count on help right away.

Emergency numbers

Police: 100

Medical emergency: 166

Hospital services: 106

And that is all, friends, I hope that it is very helpful. Or better yet not, and that nothing happens to you that means you need this information.

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