Private hospitals in Cyprus warn of treatment and surgery delays due to a shortage of nurses

Private clinics in Cyprus are on the brink of crisis due to an acute shortage of qualified medical staff. The Private Hospitals Association (PASIN) and the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) warn of potential bed closures and suspension of surgical operations if the situation is not stabilized in the coming weeks.

"We are not at the stage of closing beds — we are already past the point of no return," warned PASIN President Marios Karaiskakis. His words are echoed by OEB, which calls for urgent measures, including allowing the employment of nurses from abroad.

Health Minister Michalis Damianou confirmed that at present there is not a single unemployed nurse in Cyprus, and even an increase in student enrollment in nursing schools does not solve the problem immediately.

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The additional burden is exacerbated by the requirement to comply with strict standards — Cyprus ranks among the lowest in the EU in terms of nurses per capita (about 6 per 1,000 residents compared to the average of 8).

Possible consequences and proposals:

— a reduction in the number of available beds, limiting the admission of new patients and causing queues for inpatient treatment and operations;

— attracting foreign specialists — a proposal to allow the hiring of nurses from non-EU countries, especially to support surgeries and intensive care, without requiring knowledge of Greek, which is under discussion;

— encouraging the local workforce reserve — efforts aimed at attracting young people to the profession and increasing the number of nursing school graduates.