Greek health system victim of debt crisis but reform now possible, say experts

Greece's health care system was among the victims of the debt crisis which began four years ago, according to local experts who have recorded its impact on public health and cutbacks in health care provisions, reports China’s state news agency Xinhua.

While difficulties continue as wider austerity and reform takes root, experts now see a window of opportunity opening to build a cost-effective health system.

"The economic crisis found the Greek health sector unable to deal with the challenges due to chronic mismanagement and structural shortages," Manos Matsaganis, associate professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, told Xinhua.