Attikon General University Hospital in Athens has been left without a functional CT scanner after both of its diagnostic machines went out of service simultaneously, according to hospital staff.
The technical failure has prompted parliamentary intervention from SYRIZA, Greece's main left-wing opposition party. Rena Dourou, president of the SYRIZA parliamentary group, initiated a formal question to the Health Minister regarding patient safety and hospital readiness.
The political filing followed a complaint issued by Anagennisi, the workers' union at Attikon General University Hospital. The union reported that both of the facility's CT scanners suffered simultaneous breakdowns, leaving the hospital unable to conduct scans.
According to the union, the technical support company tasked with maintaining the equipment has failed to clarify when the machinery will be repaired and returned to service.
Diagnostic Scanners and Emergency Care
Attikon General University Hospital, located in Haidari in western Athens, is one of the largest public medical centers serving the capital region. Operating as a major general on-call hospital, it caters to hundreds of thousands of residents across western Athens and beyond.
Computed tomography, or CT scanning, is a crucial diagnostic procedure that uses specialized X-rays to produce detailed images of internal organs, tissue, and blood vessels. Emergency medical teams rely heavily on these scans for the rapid evaluation of urgent, life-threatening conditions, including acute stroke, internal bleeding, and severe physical trauma.
In their parliamentary submission, SYRIZA lawmakers stated that the absence of operating CT scanners raises critical questions regarding patient safety and facility preparedness. The party asked the Health Minister to state what immediate measures the ministry and hospital management are taking to ensure seamless treatment for emergency patients while both scanners remain out of operation.
Contractual Obligations and Parliamentary Questions
According to state news agency APE-MPE, SYRIZA also requested details regarding contractual response times, equipment repair deadlines, and the specific penalties specified in the contract if the maintenance provider fails to meet its obligations.
The lawmakers questioned who carries final responsibility for maintaining operational readiness at an on-call general hospital when critical medical equipment breaks down. They called on the ministry's political leadership to outline concrete steps to guarantee patient safety and protect the uninterrupted function of hospital emergency shifts.
