Redundancy and the implementation of the Kalikratis program to reform the administrative division of Greece are the two reasons for storing the bodies ported to be buried in the country longer at the airport. The medical service, which is subordinate to the regional government of Attica, has not actually worked two days because the only administrative employee is on sick leave. The rest of her colleagues were moved to other departments.
That is why only the chief doctor Anna Makri is working in the only service that is issuing certificates of burial of bodies carried from abroad. She is performing her duties even during non-working hours, often at her own expenses. Until a few months ago there were ten people working in the service and their number grew during major epidemics such as avian influenza, swine flu and others.
At present, however, the service is working illegally as the staff of two people is not sufficient to provide its 24-hour operation as stipulated by European regulations.
"The bodies belong to Greeks who were living abroad and wanted to be buried in their homeland. After the documents are processed the bodies are taken by funeral parlours which their families have contacted," said the chief doctor Anna Makri for GRReporter.
According to her, three or four bodies a day arrive at the airport. "The problem arose a month ago and is very serious because it is threatening public health. It is not possible the medical service at the airport to continue to operate in this way, especially during the international Special Olympics ".
According to the Ethnos Newspaper, the Ministry of Health is ready to take measures and will submit the decision for staff appointing to be voted by the Parliament as an addition to the bill for organ donation in the coming days.
The association of mourning agencies expressed its discontent with the health department and called for urgent resolution of the issue.
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