ABSTRACT
Greece is situated in south-east Europe and covers an area of approximately 132 000 km, most of which is mountainous or islands. Public administration in Greece is comprised of the public sector services and the public corporate agencies. In Greece, both the public and private sectors provide health services. Private clinics, hospitals, outpatient health facilities and laboratories provide only a small part of the health service in Greece. Greece has one independent mediating authority, that is, it has a single Ombudsman institution. The establishment of the Greek Ombudsman as an independent authority, in accordance with Act 2477/97, marks the culmination of a long struggle to improve the public sector and its relations with the citizen. The Ombudsman as a public authority is exclusively funded by government. According to the institution's founding law, the Ombudsman is assisted in carrying out his duties by four Deputy Ombudsmen. The Ombudsman may investigate a case only if its subject matter falls within his jurisdiction.
