The president of POEDIN, Michalis Giannakos, conducted a review highlighting the heavy toll of fireworks during Easter. Specifically, as he reported, five minors ended up in the hospital from fireworks, with a fourteen-year-old, with a severed thumb, fighting for his life. Despite a slight decrease in injury incidents compared to last year, the consequences of this tradition continue.
Read: Elis: Minor injured by firework – Father arrested
The chronicle of Easter firework injuries
According to Michalis Giannakos, president of POEDIN, a total of five minors were transported to “Agia Sophia” and “Aglaia Kyriakou” hospitals during Easter:
- 14-year-old boy from Menidi: Arrived with a severed thumb that was “literally hanging” and serious injuries
- 7-year-old boy: Transported with hearing loss due to firework explosion
- Three other children: Presented with minor injuries
POEDIN: The doctors’ battle
The 14-year-old underwent surgery by plastic and general surgeons during the Easter Resurrection service. “The doctors managed to save the severed thumb and the other two fingers. The child is now being treated in plastic surgery,” stated Michalis Giannakos. He also referred to the difficult working conditions of staff working in hospitals during holiday periods.
As he reported:
- a nurse receives only 10 euros as additional holiday pay
- a newly appointed nurse is paid 800 euros
- doctors receive less than 2,000 euros monthly
“We don’t deserve such contempt, Mr. Prime Minister,” he characteristically emphasized. Michalis Giannakos also expressed his bewilderment about maintaining this tradition, making pointed remarks about the tolerance of parents, organizations and authorities, which leads to serious injuries to children.
