The Panhellenic Medical Association. announced that doctors will boycott the electronic prescription system from Friday to Monday, with exceptions only for emergencies and people with disabilities, summed up "Ta Nea", quoted by News.bg.
The boycott is in response to the government's Psychiatric Care Bill, which includes a provision requiring doctors in understaffed rural hospitals and health centers to be on mandatory duty.
Physicians who refuse to comply will be subject to severe penalties, including restrictions on using the online prescription system.
The president of the association, Athanasios Exadaktilos, said that the doctors are calling for the withdrawal of this provision and are seeking a dialogue with the Ministry of Health. Exadaktilos noted that while last year a similar issue was resolved through cooperation, this year the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, is trying to resolve it through threats.
He argued that the bill would exacerbate staffing shortages in the public health system, noting that there are currently more than 6,000 vacancies. Exadactylos admitted that this is a difficult situation and appealed to citizens for understanding.
He also mentioned that medical association presidents are expected to meet in Athens on Monday to decide on their next course of action.