In a new letter to Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides, Yiannis Karousos, President of the Famagusta EOA and Vice President of DISY, once again addresses addressing the problems faced by the Famagusta General Hospital.
Following Mr. Karousos’s reports of complaints from citizens facing long wait times and inconvenience at the hospital’s Emergency Department, he raised his concerns and reservations with Mr. Charalambides “regarding shortages in coverage of essential medical specialties and the need for further reinforcement of the nursing staff.”
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In a related announcement, he states that he is seeking immediate answers and a specific timeline for addressing the problems.
Read what Mr. Karousos says:
The situation today is a cause for serious concern:
• Pulmonologist: There is no daily presence. According to the information I have, there are only 3–4 visits per month, even though the hospital is treating patients with serious pulmonary conditions.
• Neurologist: The presence is limited to once a week, even though patients with strokes and other serious neurological conditions are being treated. At the same time, the waiting list for an examination exceeds 6–7 months.
• Ophthalmologist: While there used to be daily coverage, there is currently no permanent ophthalmologist on staff, despite the fact that serious cases may require immediate ophthalmological evaluation.
• Nursing staff: There is a need for additional staffing to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the departments.
I also request official information regarding whether doctors or positions that belonged to Famagusta Hospital have been transferred to other public hospitals and, if so, for what reasons and how they have been replaced.
Famagusta is not asking for preferential treatment. It is asking for what should be a given.
It is unacceptable for a district hospital—which is called upon to serve the residents of the entire free district as well as one of Cyprus’s largest tourist regions— to lack adequate, daily coverage in essential medical specialties.
This is not a partisan issue and must not be turned into a partisan confrontation. It is a matter of public health, patient safety, and equal treatment for the Famagusta district.
We expect specific answers, concrete actions, and a clear timeline from the Ministry of Health and the Cyprus Health Services Organization (OKYPY).
The Famagusta Hospital must be strengthened. And it must be strengthened now.
