The prosecutorial intervention in the case of the death of Giorgos Mazonakis and the order for an urgent preliminary examination, in order to investigate any possible responsibilities of the Athens Medical Association or another competent public body regarding inspections at the specific medical practice, highlight in the most institutional way a critical issue: the inadequacy and ineffectiveness of control mechanisms in private health structures, PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas. points out in his statement
As he points out, “the day before yesterday, the Minister of Health acknowledged state responsibility in the case.
He admitted after the fact that abolishing, under the Executive State law, the Health Inspectors Corps, the well-known "Health Rambos", which had been established by the PASOK government with Alekos Papadopoulos as Minister, was a mistake.
Taking responsibility cannot remain just words.
PASOK – Movement for Change had already raised, through a parliamentary scrutiny question by the MP for Ioannina and Deputy Secretary of the PASOK – Movement for Change Parliamentary Group, Ioannis Tsimaris, the need for the immediate strengthening and reorganization of oversight mechanisms in the health sector.
The protection of public health requires a supervisory system that operates preventively, systematically, and effectively.
Supervision with clear responsibilities, adequate staffing, regular and extraordinary inspections, and transparency in the findings and their results.
The safety of citizens and the quality of health services cannot depend on the after-the-fact investigation of every serious incident”.