Greece orders closure of unlicenced Thessaloniki oncology clinic and audits 11 linked facilities

Closure orders and patient relocation crisis

Greek health authorities have initiated the formal closure of two private healthcare facilities in Thessaloniki, following an investigation by the National Transparency Authority (EAD). The central Thessaloniki clinic was discovered to be operating an unlicenced oncology ward that administered chemotherapy treatments without required legal permits and without an intensive care unit on site. A second clinic operated by the same group in Thermi was sealed directly following the initial administrative enforcement. The two facilities must complete their closure within 11 days, creating severe difficulties for families attempting to find alternative beds for patients.

A total of 46 individuals are currently hospitalised at the central Thessaloniki clinic, where relocation efforts remain underway as relatives seek open placements in other institutions. Several families have placed patients on regional waiting lists while public health agencies evaluate available capacity. The Ministry of Health is tracking bed availability and has prepared administrative interventions to transfer patients to new facilities if private placements cannot be secured before the deadline.

Broadened financial and operational audits

The National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) expanded its investigation to examine all 11 healthcare facilities associated with the ownership group. Audits focus on billing submissions, invoice histories, and the potential unlawful prescription of expensive oncology drugs. Approximately 300 patients are currently receiving care across the 11 facilities affiliated with the family-owned group.

Ministry of Health representative Stamatis Poulis outlined the scope of the administrative inquiry.

That does not mean that all of them will be sealed, this will depend on the findings in each unit.

Auditors are examining four clinics in Thessaloniki, two in Athens, two in Larissa, two in Lamia, and one in Katerini.

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis directed regulators to supervise the administrative process closely to prevent interruptions in patient care. EOPYY estimates suggest that monthly reimbursement submissions from these 11 private clinics do not exceed 100,000 euros.

AI screening and shuttered alternative care centres

In a separate monitoring action, the Ministry of Health and the Thessaloniki Medical Association (ISTh) placed 70 private health centres under scrutiny for operating violations. These facilities were flagged through MedWatch, an artificial intelligence monitoring system deployed by the ministry to track unauthorised medical advertising. The flagged centres promoted alternative practices, including plasmapheresis, quantum medicine, and molecular hydrogen applications.

To handle the volume of cases, the Thessaloniki Medical Association expanded its inspection resources.

Inspection teams were tripled from two to six units to conduct on-site evaluations across the regional healthcare market.

Disciplinary actions and legal referrals

Regulatory teams conducting on-site checks across Thessaloniki have repeatedly encountered shuttered facilities. Many of the 70 targeted alternative centres deactivated their websites and withdrew public advertisements detailing their treatment catalogues before inspectors arrived. Citizen complaints regarding these practices continue to arrive at the medical association.

Facilities operating without required health licences will be referred directly to the National Transparency Authority and regional public prosecutors. Physicians involved in unlicenced treatments or fraudulent prescribing practices face disciplinary hearings before the Thessaloniki Medical Association Disciplinary Board.