Cyprus treatment under scrutiny. Patient Ombudsman criticizes monitoring system

Medical checks in Cyprus need better coordination – says Patient Rights Ombudsman Marios Charalambides. His reaction is related to reports of medical services being provided in inappropriate conditions and procedures being used whose validity and safety have raised doubts.

According to the spokesperson, the current oversight system is fragmented across various institutions. One oversees physician qualifications, another oversees the facility, equipment, or drug approval. However, there is no coordinated assessment of the entire service received by patients—from staff qualifications and clinic conditions to device use and the medical justification for the procedure.

Medical checks in Cyprus are scattered

Marios Charalambides pointed out that individual elements of a facility's operations may be subject to different institutions. However, simply monitoring them doesn't always answer the most important question: whether a specific service was performed correctly and safely.

A facility may have a business license. A physician may be entered in the appropriate register. A device may be legally approved for use, and the drug used may be marketed.

This does not automatically mean that every procedure performed by such a facility is permitted, appropriate for the patient and consistent with current medical knowledge.

The woman was admitted to intensive care

Discussion about the surveillance system was sparked, among other things, by reports about a woman who suffered serious complications after undergoing plasmapheresis in Cyprus and required treatment in an intensive care unit.

The case was reported to the Ministry of Health and the police. According to information provided by the police, the report was received in November 2023. After the proceedings were concluded, the materials were transferred to the Legal Service of the Republic of Cyprus.

The evidence collected at the time was insufficient to bring criminal charges. However, this does not constitute confirmation that every aspect of the service was performed properly. Criminal proceedings and assessing a procedure's compliance with medical standards are two different matters.

We have already described the patient's case and the previous findings of the police and the Ministry of Health in detail on CYPRNews.

Plasmapheresis is a recognized medical procedure

Plasmapheresis is not, in itself, an experimental or prohibited procedure. It is a procedure used to treat specific conditions and, in appropriate cases, can be lifesaving.

The problem arises when the procedure is performed without proper indication, adequate supervision, or access to facilities enabling a quick response to complications.

Therefore, the Patient Rights Ombudsman did not limit his remarks to a single device or type of therapy. He drew attention to a broader issue related to the way medical services are supervised in Cyprus.

Legal equipment does not mean legal use

According to Marios Charalambides, the audit should cover the entire service, not just its individual parts.

You should check:

• whether the procedure is performed by an appropriately qualified person;
• whether it takes place in a facility adapted to the given procedure;
• whether the equipment used is operated in accordance with its intended purpose;
• whether there is a scientifically proven indication for the use of therapy;
• whether the patient has been informed about the risks and possible complications;
• whether the facility can respond appropriately in a health or life-threatening situation.

The spokesperson emphasized that the legality of a device does not justify every method of its use. Similarly, a legally operating healthcare provider does not automatically have the right to offer every possible procedure.

There is a need for information exchange between offices

The most important postulate is to create a mechanism enabling effective cooperation between institutions responsible for patient protection.

Information about irregularities should not remain solely with one office if the matter concerns the qualifications of staff, the operation of the facility, medical equipment and the safety of the procedure performed.

The Ombudsman expects a clear division of responsibilities, efficient data exchange, and the ability to intervene quickly. This would allow for a response before further serious complications arise.

What should the patient check before the procedure?

Particular caution is advised when dealing with treatments that are advertised as regenerative, rejuvenating, cleansing, or that help with multiple unrelated conditions.

Patients should ask about the exact name of the procedure, its medical indication, risks, alternative treatment methods, and the qualifications of the person performing the procedure. It's also worth determining whether the facility has adequate safeguards in place to deal with complications.

The Ministry of Health has appealed to people to report suspicions of illegal performance of medical procedures or their offering in unapproved places.

As the Patient Rights Ombudsman emphasizes, a modern oversight system cannot be limited to verifying whether each individual component of a practice complies with regulations. It must also assess the end result—that is, whether the patient receives a service that is legal, safe, of appropriate quality, and based on scientific knowledge.

Sources: Patient Ombudsman of the Republic of Cyprus, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus Police, Philenews.

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