More specifically, despite the fact that officially the Greek Army is responsible for providing health services, in reality its role is subsidiary and occasional. The main burden has been undertaken by various NGOs, which have quite different profiles and expertise, as does their staff. If this was acceptable as an emergency solution during this period of increased flows, nearly two years later the Greek State displayed the following characteristics: a) it has failed to set “conditions and specifications” for the operation of the NGOs that provide medical services; b) it has not established a framework of action (“protocol”) for their operation with regard to the treatment of the recipients of their services; c) it has not ensured - also due to the above - the use of the health facilities only in cases where they are necessary in order not to burden the health system without reason. Having as an example two accommodation sites in Northern Greece, in Veria and Kalohori, the following were observed: a) no coordination and allocation of competences whatsoever between the health services provided by the army and the NGOs; b) zero prevention and planning in order to meet on an ongoing and quality basis the health needs of the population, except, that is, of the emergency cases; c) no monitoring regarding the capability of the NGO staff and the staff of the state agencies operating in the accommodation sites, to meet the needs of this population and provide related medical services and d) excessive, and potentially, needless use and burden to the health facilities (continuous transfers to health centers and particularly hospitals). These observations require certain clarifications: The management, coverage and initial care of such populations requires special scientific expertise, specific medical specialisations and subjects. Thus, the “quality” of the services provided is related a lot more with this special expertise rather than the usual scientific competence, for example of a medical specialisation which cannot however meet the requirements of this specific subject. In any case, it is apparent that mainly the medical - but also the nursing - staff cannot meet the demands without the necessary training. One of the results of the above point is related to the fact that there was an exceptionally high number of visits to the local health facilities and a commitment of human resources and funds, sometimes to the expense of those who truly needed them, even from this same population staying in these facilities. The Ombudsman noted the need for a constant and systematic coverage of the health needs of the population residing in the camps by the state Primary Health Units, a recommendation that is still valid. Significant in its findings on the conditions related to public health was the publication of a study by the Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention168 in July 2016 for temporary accommodation sites in Northern Greece, which reported that the overall picture is particularly worrying. Their selection and spatial planning was made without requesting even a simple opinion from the health services, and recommends that they are completely shut down, gradually, based on the greater risk factors from the aspect of public health. In September 2016, the Ministry of Migration Policy announced the relevant planning for closing and upgrading certain temporary accommodation sites. These plans however provided for the replacement of approximately 7000 accommodation places and was not realised until the end of the year. It is noted that the Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention with a public announcement on 22.8.2016 dispelled the rumour that the refugee/migrant accommodation centers were responsible for cases of malaria with domestic transmission. It also launched an epidemiological surveillance system in May 2016 at health care points for refugees/migrants and it regularly posted relevant releases on its website. As regards the provision of health services, in 2016 the Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention published a call for expressions of interest (11.8.2016) for various positions of doctors, nurses, administrative employees, e.g., with a project contract in the framework of an action titled “Integrated urgent health intervention for the refugee crisis”, that is financed by the EU emergency aid.169 From the call there is no evidence that these contracts are connected with specific appointment to temporary accommodation sites, but they are intended for regions/health regions that are dealing with an increased pressure from the settlement of refugees/ migrants. 168 http://www.keelpno.gr/Portals/0/%CE%91%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B5%C E%AF%CE%B1/%CE%9D%CE%AD%CE%B1%20-%20%CE%91%CE%BD%C E%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%8E%CF%83%CE%B5%CE% B9%CF%82/2016/%CE%93%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%BC%CE%AC%CF%84% CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7%20%CE%9A%CE%AD%CE%BD%CF%84 %CF%81%CF%89%CE%BD%20%CE%A6%CE%B9%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B E%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82_21-7-2016.pdf 169 EU Emergency Aid from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission. 53