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November 29, 2008 (LPAC) -- Le Figaro's correspondent in Greece reports on the rapid destruction of the nation's health system, whose health-insurance system virtually shut down after the government decided to cut off all public funding one week ago.

Consequently, hospitals and pharmacies are running out of cash to operate. Hospitals, managing their EU4 billion in debt and having to pay for supplies, decided to reduce their service to a "minimum service." Matters have grown so serious that several urgent medical interventions are delayed every day, since surgical suites have begun to operate without such basic equipment as gloves or syringes. The companies leasing orthopedic equipment are facing over EU700 million of unpaid debt. As a result, they decided to confiscate the equipment and take it back -- out of the hospitals! U.S. Ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard threatened that U.S. pharmaceutical companies might leave Greece if they don't get paid.

The ugly truth of the matter, is the fact that the Greek government stole the money from the Health Ministry to repay parts of Greece's public debt, one of the highest of Europe, representing 93.8% of GDP! Other ministries, such as education, environment, and others, were also looted in a similar fashion.

In the meantime, the entire health system is being taken apart. Greek doctors reportedly will launch a protest action soon, since, starting December 1, they are obliged to have patients make immediate and total payment for their services.