Friday, February 21, 2014

Blog 3: Greece forced budget cut affects health of citizens

Greece has suffered a mass budget cut by the Trioka because of austerity measures. The Trioka forced this upon Greece due to the two bailout packages it has received. The Greek government has chosen to place the cut on healthcare. A fourth was cut from the hospital budget from 2009 to 2011. In Greece, health coverage is based on the citizens’ employment. Unemployment has jumped to 23.5% in 2012 while maintaining a 14.4% long-term unemployment. Meaning all of these people, which need it the most, are out of health insurance.  Rural areas are in more danger with programs being shut down. Drug users are not given as much clean syringes and condoms so the risk of contracting HIV has increased. And increase in suicide as well as still births have significantly increased. Over Greece’s health is deteriorating. Many humanitarian organizations have been volunteering and setting up clinics to help the uninsured.
Greece’s government decided to take its austerity cut out of the health department which has had a serious effect on the health of the unemployed citizens of Greece.  So many health services have been dropped that even Malaria has returned to Greece since the mosquito spray programs have been discontinued. This puts Greece in a bad state, as it has been; many statics are starting to show its ill citizens. Health issues are just going to get worse and worse when the unemployed stay uninsured. Not only are the unemployed at risk but so are employed citizens which will have more difficulty receiving medical attention.    http://rt.com/news/malaria-greece-austerity-healthcare-171/

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