We return to our question, with no. prot. 9273/4.9.2020 και θέμα «Προβλήματα στη λειτουργία του Εργαστηρίου Μοριακής Βιολογίας στο ΓΝ Κοζάνης “Mamatsio”», which remains unanswered by the competent Ministry even though the time provided by the regulation for its response has elapsed.
Our question is this:
The region of Western Macedonia has entered with particular intensity the second phase of the epidemic wave based on the official data that see the light of day.. The outbreaks of epidemic cases, such as those that occurred in Siatista and the wider area of Voio, in the Southern Field, but also some other scattered cases in Kozani, Kastoria, Grevena and Florina reasonably cause everyone concern. There is already the experience of the first wave of the pandemic with quarantined villages in Kastoria and Kozani.
In the first phase of the pandemic, the molecular biology laboratory of the General Hospital was created. Kozani to meet the needs of the population of the whole region.
In the specific Molecular laboratory, at first, was set to accept eighty (80) samples to be tested daily with a maximum throughput of one hundred and twenty (120) samples to meet the needs of all Hospitals in the Region. Today, up to four hundred and fifty arrive at this laboratory (450) samples for daily testing, serving the Hospitals West of Thessaloniki, doubling the number of hospitals it supports by four (4) at eight(8) and as informed by the Commander of the Hospital in its four-month operation were examined more than 20.000 samples. According to, after international audits they rank it in the top laboratories in terms of reliability.
Before the beginning of its operation with the no. 620/6-4-20 Topical Question of our Party on the subject: “for the problems and shortages in the hospitals of Western Macedonia”, we highlighted the need for funding and full staffing, under the responsibility of the state, of this coronavirus molecular control laboratory. The supply of equipment was made by the West Region. Of Macedonia, as well as the payroll of the 4 molecular biologists hired with a three-month project contract, which expired in early July.
Then at an expense exclusively from the revenues of the Hospital (200-240 thousands per month during this time), were gradually recruited by the Hospital Administration 4 auxiliary molecular biologists, 2 technologists complete and 2 part-time, 1 microbiologist, who make superhuman efforts day and night to analyze the samples, the closing of telephone appointments and the registration of results in a special computer program, resulting in the recent increase in tests to delay the announcement of results up to 2 full 24 hours. For this reason many patients, accidental or not, Are "pushed" to the private sector and bear the financial cost of the diagnostic test.
The current government is responsible for this situation, as are all previous ones that have followed EU policy over time., that is, the underfunding of the public health system and the support of health entrepreneurs. Local Authorities also have responsibilities that accept this policy and cover up the problems of state underfunding and understaffing of public health structures.
MR. Minister what measures will the government take to:
- To ensure the continuous operation of the molecular biology laboratory of the General Hospital. "Mamatsiou" with full funding from the state budget for its reinforcement with the additional necessary equipment and its full staffing with all the necessary specialties with permanent staff;
- To have generous funding from the state budget and staffing with the necessary permanent staff of all specialties (medical, nursing and other staff) of health structures in P.E.. Kozani, permanence of all auxiliaries and contractors;
The Members of Parliament
Delis Giannis
