A serious complaint filed by Dr. Marinos Sotiriou confirms that a patient in Cyprus was also at risk and required admission to the intensive care unit due to complications from plasmapheresis. The procedure was performed at an unapproved facility.
“First of all, the incident occurred about two years ago; it’s not recent. The patient was admitted with extensive thrombosis, recovered, went home, and from what we learned later, she was at a specific center—I won’t call it a clinic—where she underwent plasmapheresis treatment.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
He also refers to the legislation, calling on the Ministry of Health and the Parliament to take the initiative, since these specific centers are neither clinics nor hospitals.
“A legal framework should be enacted to restrict such activities.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
The Ministry of Health states that inspections are being conducted, highlighting the need for more and calling for the public’s cooperation.
“It is extremely important that, if such information is available, it be brought to our attention. Sometimes citizens hesitate because they feel, ‘I don’t want to go report this and get myself into trouble.’ There are procedures in place; certain medical procedures are being performed that should not be carried out in that specific facility or by specific individuals.” Karolina Stylianou, Assistant Director of the Hospital Laboratory
“People should go to specific centers—approved and licensed ones—and they must be well-informed before proceeding with such treatments because, while they promise a lot, they do not deliver on those promises.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
“Promising” Treatments
So-called “promising” therapies—including plasmapheresis for longevity and well-being—flood the internet every day. Centers both abroad and in Cyprus promise everything from longevity (card) to anti-aging (card).
“These phenomena seem to have become much more pronounced lately because there now appears to be—I’d say—a strong obsession with longevity, and it seems that through social media, influencers, and so on, there are covert advertisements for such activities and treatments.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
There are many therapies that they are trying to peddle to the public. Through advanced blood-removal and purification techniques, they promise everything from a reduction in environmental toxic load (card) and oxidative stress (card) to the optimization of the body’s ability to heal itself.
Long COVID-19
Long COVID syndrome was also a focal point, as such centers promise specialized treatment, claiming to allow the body to heal naturally.
“This condition is quite prevalent after COVID-19. Many patients who have what is known as Long COVID—persistent symptoms following a COVID-19 infection, which is now a chronic condition—suffer considerably. Such patients are seeking treatments all over the world because they are desperate, and these charlatans offer such treatments, promising improvement—which, of course,is simply unfounded.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
This is a client base that, as it appears, is expanding abroad as well.
“I know that a great many patients come to Cyprus seeking this specific treatment, and it’s also available at other centers. There are other treatments as well; this is not the only one available for longevity and detoxification. There are also many other treatments whose scientific value is questionable.” Dr. Marinos Sotiriou
Various videos also feature patients who claim to have undergone such treatments and share their experiences and results.
