Thessaloniki: Sealing of Private Clinic Following EAD Inspection

A decision to seal a private clinic in Thessaloniki was signed on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, with implementation beginning in the morning of the same day. The decision was signed by the deputy regional governor of Thessaloniki Kostas Gioutikos, within the framework of the institutional responsibilities of the regional authority. As reported by skai.gr and newsit.gr, two independent journalistic sources, the decision is based on an inspection conducted by the National Transparency Authority (EAD). The case illustrates how an inspection by an independent authority can result in immediate administrative intervention by the region. This text is limited to what has been made public and does not add elements that are not confirmed by these two sources.

According to the inspection findings, as reported by the two media outlets, the clinic is alleged to have operated an oncology unit without a license. It is also alleged to have provided chemotherapy without relevant licensing, even to individuals without a cancer diagnosis, and according to the same findings, is alleged to have billed the national health system fraudulently. These are reports stemming from the inspection findings and not from court determinations, and particularly the alleged provision of treatment to individuals without a diagnosis requires caution pending examination by the competent authorities. For the private clinic and for any persons associated with it, the presumption of innocence applies fully, which is why neither the unit nor the individuals involved are named.

The EAD is an independent authority that conducts inspections with the aim of transparency in sectors where public resources are circulated, including health. Licensing and supervision of private clinics generally fall within the competence of the regional health services, which is why the decision bears the signature of the deputy regional governor. In practice, sealing is an administrative measure that interrupts the operation of the unit and its services until its status is clarified. It does not constitute a penalty and does not represent a court judgment on the substance of the findings. For those being treated at private units, such a measure raises questions of continuity of care, but the published reports do not provide relevant information and for this reason no speculation is made.

The inspection findings are expected to be judged by the competent authorities, which will examine whether the alleged violations are substantiated. To date, no court judgment has been made. The reports from skai.gr and newsit.gr do not include information on the number of individuals, amounts or duration of the alleged operation, and for this reason such information is not mentioned here. The case remains ongoing and any further information will emerge from official procedures, with the private clinic retaining the right to refute the findings before the competent authorities and courts.