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Hello and welcome to assignment on the BBC World Service.

I'm Zainab Bedawi.

In this edition, you join me in Greece,

a country in the grip of austerity.

I'm here to find out if the financial crisis in Greece

is literally costing lives.

As part of the conditions of the multi-billion euro bailout,

the Greek health budget has been slashed.

But what is the reality behind the figures?

Until about three years ago, we were fine.

It's only recently we found out about Christos's illness.

Today, our way of life has completely changed.

Catarina and Alexandros live in the north of Athens

with their seven-year-old son Christos and his three brothers.

They also live with an anxiety any parent would dread.

Six months ago, Christos was diagnosed with a rare illness.

Parts of his bodies swell up dangerously.

What triggers it are infections being exposed to the cold

or even just having minor dental treatment.

...