A serious complaint was made on Facebook by a resident of Kythira, referring to a personal incident she encountered while transporting a patient from Athens to Kythira on the Aqua Jewel ferry. According to Ms. K.'s post, the ship's oxygen bed was not working, leaving the patient without the necessary support during the journey. This poses a serious risk to any patient who needs oxygen during transport.
Our compatriot describes how the Kythira Hospital contacted the company to secure the operation of a special bed for a patient who needed to be transferred. However, they were informed at the last minute that the bed was not operational, and they were advised to change the date of the trip, as the bed would be out of service until it was repaired.
According to the comments that followed Ms. K.«s post, it seems that the lack of infrastructure and indifference on the part of the responsible companies and agencies is an ongoing problem, which many residents of the area complain about. The comments express strong disapproval of the situation. Many refer to the lack of responsibility and infrastructure that degrades life on the islands. Specifically, it is stated that »those responsible are irresponsible" and that such situations should not occur, especially when human lives are at stake.
Ms. K. also informed Sea Jets, while at the same time bringing the issue to the attention of the ship's captain. As she states in her comment, «the company said that each patient should have their own oxygen supply during the trip, as the supply on the ship is not sufficient for long journeys» (!). This raised more questions about who is ultimately responsible for the operation of the bed and the safety of patients.
This incident highlights once again the significant gaps in healthcare support for patients transported by ferry to the Greek islands. The residents and authorities of Kythira should take immediate measures to ensure that such critical infrastructure functions effectively, especially when human lives are at stake.
Ms. K. concluded her post by expressing her disappointment: «This is our ship. This is our disgrace. Congratulations.».
