Greece

With a per capita income of $22,300, Greece is the 45th richest nation in the world. The population has easy access to healthcare. The Greek economy is basically strong and is currently growing at a rate of 3.7 percent. However, unemployment (9.9 percent) and inflation (3.5 percent) are both higher than average for members of the European Union. Around 12 percent of the workforce is involved in the agricultural sector, and almost three-fourths are involved in services. Because of its ancient heritage and temperate climate, Greece draws visitors from all over the world, and tourism provides 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government does not issue an official poverty report, but some of the poorest residents are immigrants who are concentrated in menial jobs. Income disparities do exist, and Greece ranks 35.1 on the Gini index of inequality. The poorest 10 percent are able to claim only three percent of resources while the richest 10 percent hold 28.3 percent. The standard of living is reasonably high, and the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Human Development Report ranks Greece 24th of 177 countries on overall quality-of-life issues.

Much of the responsibility for healthcare in Greece is concentrated in the private sector, which accounts for 48.7 percent of health costs. Some 95.40 percent of private resources involve out-of-pocket expenses. On the average, seven percent of the total government budget is allocated to healthcare. Approximately 10 percent of the GDP is directed toward healthcare, and the government allocates $1,997 (international dollars) to health-related programs. The government is responsible for over half (51.3 percent) of all health expenditures, and 32 percent of funding is earmarked for Social Security. All regular employees and some self-employed workers are covered under the social insurance plan. The program is financed through a combination of employee contributions (6.67 to 8.86 percent of wages), employer benefits (13.33 to 14.73 percent of payroll), and government supplements (10 percent). Reforms to the existing pension system are under way. Workers receive cash benefits for illness and maternity leave. Both mothers and fathers are eligible for a one-year leave for the birth of a child, and leave time is expanded for the birth of additional children. Parents with children in public schools receive a family allowance, distributed at the beginning of each school year, for all children 16 and under. There are 4.38 physicians, 3.86 nurses, 0.18 midwives, 1.13 dentists, and 0.82 pharmacists per 1,000 population in Greece.

In order to improve access to healthcare, the government instituted the Integration Action Plan and charged the Ministry of Health and Social Care with establishing 50 socio-medical centers and two mobile units. The services of a doctor, a nurse, a social worker, a physical trainer, and a special health promoter are available at each center. Patients who need further treatment are directed to area hospitals. Help for families in crisis is provided by the National Center of Immediate Social Assistance, which provides care and support for neglected children, victims of domestic violence, and the elderly who live alone.

...