The shame of Leros

The situation at the Leros State Infirmary is dramatic since it cannot meet even its basic needs, such as feeding the patients.

According to deputy governor of the institution John Antiartis, the 350 mentally ill patients hosted at the institution have been systematically malnourished in recent days as the hospital is faced not with the nightmare of the lack of medicines and medical supplies as in other hospitals, but also with the lack of food.

In an urgent letter sent yesterday Wednesday to the ministry of Health and the president of the 2nd Health Region, Christina Papanikolaou, Antiartis informs those responsible that the hospital is unable to meet the nutritional needs of its mentally ill patients. He also sent it to the political parties that were elected in the May 6 elections (ND, SYRIZA, PASOK, Independent Greeks, Democratic Left, KKE).

"We want to inform you that we are unable to meet the basic nutritional needs of our patients, who are malnourished because of major food shortages. Our suppliers refuse to continue supplying us with food because of our large debt," the letter reads.

"Pension funds owe us huge amounts, thus the Leros State Infirmary cannot pay its debts," Antiartis explains and calls on those responsible to address the issue immediately.