A draft law on the “Completion of the Psychiatric Reform” by Greece’s Health Ministry was approved in parliament on Tuesday with 159 votes for and 138 against, ANA reports.
Article 65 on boosting public health facilities with private doctors and vendors to meet emergencies threatening public health was approved by 158 deputies and rejected by 138.
Article 20 on setting up a registry for psychiatric health units of private legal entities was approved by 159 deputies, rejected by 75 deputies, and 63 deputies voted ‘present’.
Wrapping up the debate in parliament, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis asserted that no mental health facility would shut down and no employee laid off, but would be incorporated in the new planning for health regions. Those working in addiction rehabilitation units will also be incorporated in the new agency.
He also noted that the prevention centers are not related to the draft bill but, being private organizations, they are funded through a memorandum of collaboration with the Ministry of Health that ends in 2027.
Georgiadis also asserted that the rehabilitation centers of 18 Ano and KETHEA will not shut down. Drug-assisted rehabilitation is not subsidized or favored, he said, and a unified agency will observe all programs, with the addiction patient deciding the program they prefer for rehabilitation. There will be no layoffs at these centers, while the bill will follow the European Union directives for psychiatric reform, he underlined.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Apaleutos25
