Doctors in Greece’s public hospitals will stage a nationwide 24-hour strike on Wednesday, March 18, as announced by the National Federation of Public Hospital Doctors of Greece (OENGE). The strike highlights ongoing concerns over low wages and chronic understaffing in the country’s healthcare system.
Main Demands
The strike centers on two key issues:
- Medical Pay Scale: Doctors are demanding better salaries that reflect their workload and professional responsibilities.
- Hospital Staffing: Chronic understaffing is causing extreme workloads, raising concerns about both patient care and physician well-being.
Preparations and Previous Actions
Local doctors’ unions are holding assemblies and organizing actions to prepare for the strike. Earlier this month, on March 11, OENGE organized a nationwide action for medical residents. Residents staged a protest at the Ministry of Health during a three-hour work stoppage (12:00–15:00), citing long working hours—up to 72 hours per week—with only four to five days off per month.
