Doctors and prison guards are under police investigation regarding the issue of repeated sick leave requests at the Prison Department. The police investigation is ongoing, based on the findings outlined in the Audit Office’s report on the Prison Department, which raises suspicions of collusion between doctors and staff members to issue sick leave certificates for periods exceeding the 42 days stipulated by law.
The Cyprus Medical Association (CMA) is awaiting the findings of this investigation, as stated on the “Alpha Summer” program by the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Cyprus Medical Association, Michalis Anastasiadis, who called for a full investigation into the allegations.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“This issue had been on our minds, as certain information regarding this specific matter had come to light. It had also been discussed at the institutional level during a meeting between our President and the Minister of Justice, where we also discussed, more generally, the framework for modernizing the procedures concerning other diseasesand the operation of the Medical Councils. However, given the latest developments—namely, the assignment to the Police of the investigation into the possible commission of criminal offenses— as we have done in other cases in the past, we sent a letter to the police requesting an update on the progress of the investigations and, specifically, if and when necessary, so that we may initiate our own disciplinary proceedings once the nature of the case has been clarified.”
READ ALSO: “Those found guilty will receive the appropriate penalties”: Doctors and prison guards in the crosshairs over repeated sick leave requests
If the case proceeds to criminal prosecution of PIS members, then the Association will have to await the court’s decision before it can address the disciplinary aspect of the case.
“The procedure is clear. The law explicitly stipulates that in order for the Disciplinary Board of the Pan-Cyprian Medical Association to impose such a penalty, it must examine a case that has first been investigated by the Cyprus Medical Association in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law, and after the Disciplinary Board has examined the case, and there again, the law provides that court decisions constitute evidence that may be taken into account by our own disciplinary board.”
In the event that a physician is convicted, the PIS appoints an investigating officer, whose findings are submitted to the Association’s board, and the plenary session decides whether to refer the matter to the disciplinary board, which essentially functions and acts as a court of law and may impose appropriate penalties.
“The Disciplinary Board may revoke the professional license of a member who is found guilty of any offenses during the proceedings before it.”
SEE ALSO: Prison guards’ sick leave granted with a silver spoon, nonexistent protocols, and zero fire safety
