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Allegations of favoritism at Venizeleio Hospital: ALS patient moved from private room for executive
🇬🇷 Greece /Health & Science

Allegations of favoritism at Venizeleio Hospital: ALS patient moved from private room for executive

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A 27-year-old patient with ALS was allegedly moved from a private room to a shared ward at Venizeleio Hospital in Crete.
  • The transfer reportedly occurred to accommodate a hospital executive, sparking outrage among staff and patient advocates.
  • Following protests, the patient was moved back to a private room in a different department.

A controversy has erupted at Venizeleio Hospital in Crete after a 27-year-old patient suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was allegedly moved from a single-occupancy room to a shared ward. The transfer, reportedly to make way for a hospital executive, has drawn strong criticism from hospital staff and patient advocacy groups.

Dimitris Flytzanis, President of the Venizeleio Workers' Union, confirmed the incident, calling it "unacceptable." He demanded an explanation from the hospital administration for moving a bedridden young woman with a severe illness. "We are obliged to respect the equal treatment of patients based on their needs, not on their acquaintances and positions," Flytzanis stated.

We are obliged to respect the equal treatment of patients based on their needs, not on their acquaintances and positions. The hospital administration must explain why they moved a young woman out of the room who is bedridden and suffers from a very serious illness.

— Dimitris FlytzanisThe President of the Venizeleio Workers' Union criticized the hospital's decision to move the ALS patient.

Following the outcry, the patient was eventually moved to another single room in the pathological clinic. Evangelia Fanouraki, former administrator of the interconnected hospitals in the prefecture, questioned why the procedure, described as routine, was not performed at hospitals in Ierapetra or Agios Nikolaos, where occupancy rates are reportedly lower.

The Association of People with Motor Neuron Disease issued a statement highlighting the specific needs of individuals with advanced ALS/MND during hospitalization. The 27-year-old patient requires specialized care due to her condition, including a tracheostomy and gastrostomy, and faces a severe infection. Healthcare professionals involved in her care recognized these needs and worked to ensure her safety, protection from infections, and dignity.

I must wonder about the following: since the operation was routine, why wasn't it performed in Ierapetra or the Agios Nikolaos hospital? Especially in Agios Nikolaos, the average occupancy in general surgery is at most 3 patients! She would have had her own three-bed room, not just a single room! I don't believe they are indirectly devaluing the surgeons of Lasithi, are they?

— Evangelia FanourakiA former hospital administrator questioned the necessity of the patient's transfer to Venizeleio Hospital.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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