Sick Finns reach Santa's voice mail

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

HELSINKI (AFP) — Inhabitants of the small southern Finnish town of Pirkkala were surprised recently when they tried to call the local health center but reached Santa Claus' voice mail instead of a doctor or a nurse.

"We have had telephone problems this spring and some calls have gone to Santa," Maire Sonninen, head of the policlinic ward at Pirkkala health care centre, told AFP.

She said broadcaster Yle, whose Christmas programme's voice mail received the calls, had now closed the answering machine.

Sonninen said many irritated patients had called the health care centre's emergency numbers and some had come to the centre to complain and to book their appointments.

Telecom operator Elisa said it had rectified the problem.

© 2008 AFP