Transparency Authority urges shutdown of illegal oncology unit at northern Greek clinic

An inspection by the Regional Service of Thessaloniki of the National Transparency Authority revealed that a private clinic in northern Greece was operating a fully equipped oncology department despite the licence not permitting such services. The unit was run by a single pulmonologist with oncology specialization, who worked without a formal contract, and the clinic failed to employ required nursing personnel, radiology staff, or an intensive-care unit as mandated by law.

Additionally, the clinic allegedly prescribed chemotherapy drugs from 2022 and administered them in the illegal oncology unit, while submitting inaccurate information to the National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision for hospital-stay reimbursements. The Authority urged the regional government to permanently shut the clinic, revoke its founding licence, and apply administrative sanctions. The findings were sent to the Athens Court of Appeals for possible criminal prosecution, to the health insurer for verification of claims, and to the Medical Association for disciplinary review. Earlier, a 2025 regional audit had already flagged insufficient nursing staff, but one outlet's report adds the illegal oncology operation, which the Department of Public Health & Social Care has not yet acted upon.