Waiting time for a neurology appointment at Famagusta hospital exceeds seven months

Famagusta hospital is operating without daily appointments in a number of key specialties, while the waiting time for a neurological examination has exceeded six to seven months. This was stated by Yannis Karousos, head of the Famagusta District Local Government Organisation (EOA), who sent a letter to the Minister of Health and the chairman of the State Health Organisation (ΟΚΥπΥ).

According to him, a pulmonologist comes to the hospital three or four times a month, even though patients with severe respiratory diseases are admitted there. A neurologist is available once a week, despite the fact that the hospital admits people with strokes and serious damage to the nervous system.

The ophthalmology service used to operate daily, but the hospital now has no permanent ophthalmologist, even though patients may require an urgent assessment of their condition. Karousos is also calling for the nursing staff to be reinforced so that the departments can operate safely.

He separately requested documents on the transfers of doctors from Famagusta hospital to other public clinics: on what grounds this was done and how the vacant positions were filled.

“Famagusta is not asking for special treatment. It is asking for what is obvious,” the letter states. Karousos stresses that the district hospital serves the entire Famagusta district under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as a major tourist area, so the issue is not political but relates to patient safety. He expects specific answers and deadlines from the authorities: “Famagusta hospital needs to be strengthened. And it needs to be strengthened now.”