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Tuesday, 26 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Political leaders speak at Parliament debate on healthcare systemDebate over the public healthcare system and social solidarity dominated Parliament's off-the-agenda addresses on Friday, with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis first taking the podium to announce a series of legislative initiatives and reforms in the coming period.The premier said initiatives included: reforms in primary healthcare and the code of medical ethics ; upgrading the quality of provided medical services, better protection of public health, abolition of a closed-end list of prescription drugs reimbursed by state, transparency in procurement contracts and a more rational exploitation of the health ministry's property. The code of ethic changes mainly refer to stricter prohibitions against illegal payments towards physicians and hospital staff for otherwise free services. Additionally, he criticised the state of the healthcare system that his government inherited, citing long queues of patients outside out-patient clinics, lengthy delays for prescribed medical examinations, the frequent appearance of cots in hospitals' hallways filled with patients and the lack of transparency in state contracts, among others. In initially succeeding Karamanlis on the podium, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou launched into a sharp attack over the government's economic policies, saying repercussions were being felt in the healthcare sector. Moreover, Papandreou appeared to dismiss Karamanlis' call for consensus on policy affecting the healthcare sector, asking: "how can we consent to inactivity and the substitution of communication ploys for policy". On her part, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga noted that the prime minister "exercised only a verbal criticism of the previous government and not a substantive one". Finally, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos charged that both Karamanlis and Papandreou failed to touch on the issue of the "massive growth", as he said, of the private healthcare sector. [02] Karamanlis receives EU Commissioner KyprianouPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Friday met with visiting EU Commissioner for health and consumer protection Markos Kyprianou, the latter�s first official visit to Greece since assuming the post.The Cypriot Commissioner, who told reporters he has personally known Karamanlis for the past 20 years, briefed the Greek premier on issues falling within his portfolio. In response to press questions, Kyprianou said the issue of the so-called "primary shareholder" law was not brought up during the meeting. He added that discussion over the matter by the Commission has been postponed ahead of a briefing by Greek Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos and a team of legal experts next week. "We will listen to the views of the Greek government and then a decision will be taken," he said. Kyprianou was also received here by Agriculture Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos and the ministry�s top political leadership. Talks mostly revolved around an exchange of views for better monitoring of foodstuff production, imports, slaughterhouse infrastructure, animal feed checks and the humane treatment of livestock. [03] Top Italian diplomat in Athens for talks on Balkan developmentsThe Italian foreign ministry's director general, Giovanni Caracciolo, on Friday met with high-ranking Greek foreign ministry officials for talks over the latest developments in the Balkans, especially the situation in Kosovo.According to a ministry press release, the contacts are part of Athens' heightened interest in regional developments, while also emphasising the importance that Greece bestows on close cooperation with Rome vis-a-vis the specific area. [04] SEGAS clears sprinters Kenteris and ThanouThe Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics (SEGAS) on Friday cleared Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, the two athletes who dropped out of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games after charges that they had evaded doping tests. Their coach, Christos Tzekos, however, was suspended from professional sports for four years.Following SEGAS' decision, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), issued the following statement: "The IAAF notes the decision to suspend the coach Christos Tzekos for a period of four years but was surprised to learn that the sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have been cleared of charges that they tried to evade doping controls. The IAAF is now looking forward to receiving full documentation in English about this decision, and this will be carefully considered by our Doping Review Board. Tzekos, on his part, stated the following after SEGAS' decision was announced: "I am very happy that Kenteris and Thanou have been cleared. I don't care about anything else. I don't feel like the scapegoat; I am satisfied that the two [athletes] were found innocent by the disciplinary committee. I will continue to do what I did right after the Olympic Games - nothing." Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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