On the evening of Monday 17 March 2025 (https://www.opengov.gr/mindefence/?p=7117), the Ministry of National Defence Bill under the title “Arrangement of Healthcare Matters of the Armed Forces and other provisions” was put to public electronic deliberation. The process of public deliberation will be completed on 1 April 2025 at 9 a.m.
As the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias stated, after the presentation of the Bill at the Ministerial Council, “our goal is for the mightiest Armed Forces our Country has ever had in its history to have the best healthcare services”.
The Bill includes provisions such as:
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The economic independence of military hospitals, the proper pricing of medical services to Armed Forces personnel, the possibility of drawing own resources.
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The possibility of joint staffing of Military Hospitals, a new system of service transfers.
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The establishment of an Emergency Medic Specialty for Career Soldiers for providing pre hospital care.
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Joint procurements, joint use of healthcare services.
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Reduction of mandatory leadership time in field units for medical officers.
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Reduction of waiting time for the start of medical residence to 2,5 years, zero waiting time for “low demand” specialties.
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Assignment of command duties to all medical corps officers regardless of specialty.
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Compensation for days on duty of medical officers, possibility of working in the private sector for nurses.
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Acceleration of reimbursement for healthcare expenses and for new Medical Services (e.g. medically assisted reproduction).
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Joint use of healthcare services, free choice of private physician by Armed Forces personnel, right of military personnel to prescriptions from private physicians.
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Night duty of military pharmacies, home delivery of medicine to persons reliant on care.
Creation of new Medical Services:
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Founding of Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training Centre and Unit.
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Founding of Elderly Care Unit.
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Dental Clinic for People with Disabilities.
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Creation of Assisted Living Housing for People with Disabilities.
The Minister of National Defence, addressing the citizens concerning the public deliberation on the legal initiative of the Ministry of National Defence, stated:
“Given the importance of this particular initiative, I call upon you to participate in the public electronic deliberation, putting forward your opinions and comments for the improvement of the provisions of the proposed bill.”
The Bill is attached here.