Six in ten Greek doctors voiced concern over the state of the public health services after eight years of debt crisis in the country, according to the results of a survey released on Monday in Athens.

The 63 percent of the doctors who participated in the survey carried out for the Athens Medical Association (ISA) by polling firm ALCO said that doctor and equipment shortages in the national health care system after years of austerity cuts posed risks to patients' treatment.

Four in ten doctors in the private sector face difficulties to maintain their offices, while 53 percent of respondents have considered leaving Greece and seek work abroad.

More than 18,000 doctors, newly qualified graduates as well as experienced specialists, were among those who emigrated during the crisis, according to ISA.

The survey was conducted during Sept. 24-28 with the participation of 400 doctors working in the public system and the private sector, as well as 1,000 patients across Greece.

One in two Greek citizens said they struggled to cover their medical expenses.

In 2017, Greeks had to pay on average about 7.3 percent of their monthly budget on private health services to supplement the public services, according to a recent survey from the Hellenic Statistical Authority.