Surgery on the Road to the Land of Promise–Ιmpact of the Refugee Crisis on the Greek Healthcare System: Results from a Surgical Department of a Tertiary Hospital

Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Lamprinos D, Kouraklis G, Prevezanos D, Garmpi A, Papandroudis MP, Psilopatis I, Papoutsas D, Marinos G, Kourlakis S, Effraimidou EI (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Healthcare MDPI

Book Volume: 13

Article Number: 975

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13090975

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The surge in migration from the Middle East and North Africa due to conflicts has significantly impacted healthcare systems, particularly in Greece. This study investigates how the sharp increase in refugees and migrants after July 2015 has strained the surgical departments of the Greek National Health System (NHS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 patients treated at the emergency department of a public hospital in Athens, Greece. Data were compared between two periods: January 2012–July 2015 (pre-July 2015) and July 2015–December 2018 (post-July 2015), with July 2015 chosen as the cutoff due to a significant influx of immigrants during that time. Results: Patients’ demographic details, diagnoses, and surgical interventions were analyzed. Results indicated a significant rise in surgical cases, with 72.5% of patients requiring procedures, notably for appendicitis (23.6%), cholecystitis (10.9%), lower extremity thrombophlebitis (9.6%), perianal abscess (8.3%), and inguinal hernia (5.7%). Post-July 2015, there was a notable increase in perianal abscess (12.2%), inguinal hernia (8.4%), and cholelithiasis (6.1%). However, the average hospital stay of 3.9 days remained unchanged. Conclusions: The findings reveal the profound economic and operational pressures on the NHS during the refugee crisis, highlighting the urgent need for resource optimization and policy reforms. Future studies should address long-term healthcare impacts to support more sustainable healthcare models amidst ongoing and future migration challenges.

Authors with CRIS profile

Iason Psilopatis Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Involved external institutions

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens GR Greece (GR) Plovdiv University / The Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv / Пловдивски университет BG Bulgaria (BG) University Hospital of Alexandroupolis GR Greece (GR) Laikο General Hospital of Athens GR Greece (GR) Sotiria General Hospital GR Greece (GR)

How to cite

APA:

Damaskos, C., Garmpis, N., Lamprinos, D., Kouraklis, G., Prevezanos, D., Garmpi, A.,... Effraimidou, E.I. (2025). Surgery on the Road to the Land of Promise–Ιmpact of the Refugee Crisis on the Greek Healthcare System: Results from a Surgical Department of a Tertiary Hospital. Healthcare, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13090975

MLA:

Damaskos, Christos, et al. "Surgery on the Road to the Land of Promise–Ιmpact of the Refugee Crisis on the Greek Healthcare System: Results from a Surgical Department of a Tertiary Hospital." Healthcare 13.9 (2025).

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