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The geographic area of jurisdiction of the Third Regional Health and
Welfare System is the area that spreads around those neighbourhoods
that unforgettable Melina used to call "Athens' province".
In this area, 1/3 of Attica's population, but only 19% of available
hospital beds, is concentrated.
The region hosts the country's greatest harbour, many large highways
that serve the west part of Attica, and is characterized by high concentration
of industrial activity, mainly due to shipyards - ship repair settlements
and to large oil refineries located in the area.
Attica district is characterized by a highly irrational arrangement
of hospital units' location, since these are concentrated in a concessive
geographic area, in the center of Athens. The largest Attica Hospitals
are located at the arterial roads connecting Athens to Kifissia and
Athens to Agia Paraskevi with no clear land-planning criterion. At
the same time, it is extremely difficult for the residents of West
Attica and West Athens to reach those hospitals due to lack of large
connecting highways, as well as due to huge traffic problems in the
streets of Athens.
The Hospitals' location in the 3rd Re.He.We.S appears to be more rational
and with better accessibility. Nevertheless, there is important shortage
of available beds compared to the increased needs of the population
in the region. Moreover, extensive lack of specific types of clinics
and specialized units is observed.
In order to live up to the increased needs, the existent hospital
infrastructure is on duty every 3rd day instead of every 4th day,
which is the case for hospitals in the centre of Athens. As a result,
those hospitals that belong to the 3rd Regional Health and Welfare
System of Attica, have reached their maximum level of capacity usage
without, however, being able to fully cover the region's demand for
health services.
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