Non-governmental health care group Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) has reported a sharp spike in the number of people seeking free medical advice and assistance in the northern port city of Thessaloniki since September.
According to the head of the branch, Sofia Garane, Doctors of the World’s medical clinic in Thessaloniki is currently seeing an average of 1,000 patients a month, many of whom do not belong to vulnerable or minority social groups. Rising unemployment and the slashing of benefits are the main contributed factors behind the spike in visitors, according to Garane, who also appealed on behalf of the non-profit organization for donations in medicines, non-perishable food items, baby food and clothes for people of all ages.
More than two decades since launching the local branch of the NGO, 600 Greek Doctors of the World this year return to Greece to work in the crisis-hit country.
Source: Kathimerini