Faces of Athens 

A book on the Greek health care crisis by Bernhard Hetzenauer 
With an introduction by Hilde Schramm 

Revolver Publishing, Berlin, 2018/19 
336 pages, 17 x 20 cm, softcover, English
ISBN 978-3-95763-433-7
45 EUR plus shipping 
price valid until Dec. 31, 2025

When the situation in public hospitals in Greece became increasingly hopeless, the Athenian cardiologist Dr. Giorgos Vichas decided to set up a health center, completely free of charge for those without insurance. It was one of many such initiatives all over Greece. Despite economic obstacles, these social clinics sought to help society’s weakest, by offering medical aid, surgery, and providing medicine.  

In 23 personal testimonies, volunteers and patients recount their lives during the financial crisis. Their stories were recorded in several places across Athens, which can be seen as exemplary of Greek solidarity: the Social Clinic of Elliniko, the Athens Community Polyclinic and Pharmacy KIFA near Omonia Square and a KIFA in Piraeus.