The staff union at Agios Nikolaos General Hospital, located in the eastern Crete town of Agios Nikolaos, has written a formal letter to the Ministry of Health reporting a significant shortage of paramedics and ambulance personnel. The hospital serves as the main medical facility for Lasithi prefecture, covering popular tourist destinations including Elounda, Spinalonga, and the Gulf of Mirabello area. For visitors traveling in eastern Crete, this shortage may mean slower emergency response times in the region. Travelers are advised to ensure their travel insurance covers medical evacuation, keep the European emergency number 112 saved on their phones, and be aware that the nearest major hospital with fuller staffing is Heraklion University Hospital, approximately 70 kilometers west. The union is calling on authorities to address the staffing gap urgently.