There's a shortage of doctors at the hospital in Paralimni. Wait times for a neurologist can be as long as seven months.

Paralimni Hospital continues to struggle with serious staffing shortages. According to Giannis Karousos, President of the Famagusta Regional Office of Emergency Medicine, the facility lacks daily pulmonology, a neurologist sees patients only once a week, and the constant presence of an ophthalmologist is not ensured.

Karousos asked the Minister of Health and the President of OKYPA to urgently present concrete measures and a timeline for filling vacancies. He also noted the shortage of nurses and asked whether doctors or positions assigned to the hospital had been transferred to other public institutions.

Pulmonologist only a few times a month

The most serious concerns concern the availability of essential specialists. According to information provided by the Famagusta EOA chairman, a pulmonologist only visits the hospital three or four times a month.

At the same time, the facility accepts patients with serious respiratory diseases who may require constant supervision by a specialist.

Karousos stressed that the current situation raises serious concerns about patient safety and the proper functioning of the hospital.

Up to seven months of waiting for a neurologist

The neurologist is supposed to be present at the hospital only once a week. Instead, the hospital admits stroke patients and those suffering from other serious neurological conditions.

According to the EOA chairman, the waiting time for a neurological consultation now exceeds six or seven months.

There are also challenges with eye care. In the past, the hospital provided a daily ophthalmologist. Currently, there is no comparable permanent staff, although in emergencies, a quick assessment by a specialist can be crucial.

Questions about transferring doctors and positions

Karousos asked the Ministry of Health and the Organization of State Health Services, or OKYPY, for official information on whether doctors or positions previously assigned to the hospital in Paralimni had been transferred to other public facilities.

If such decisions have been made, the regional authorities expect an explanation of their reasons and information on how the gaps were remedied.

An increase in the number of nurses is also expected. According to the EOA chairman, this is essential to ensure the safe and efficient operation of individual departments.

The hospital serves residents and the tourist region

The hospital in Paralimni, officially known as Famagusta General Hospital, serves residents of the entire Cypriot-controlled district. It also serves tourists staying in Ayia Napa, Protaras, and other towns on the southeast coast.

Famagusta isn't demanding preferential treatment. It's demanding the obvious," Karousos emphasized.

In his opinion, the issue should not become the subject of a partisan dispute. It concerns public health, patient safety, and equal access to medical care for the region's residents.

Until the appeal was published, no response from the Ministry of Health or OKYPA containing a schedule for hiring the missing specialists had been publicly presented.

Sources: EOA Famagusta, Giannis Karousos, Philenews, OKYPY