The state doctors’ union (Pasyki) raised concerns on Thursday over a shortage of doctors in the A&E department of the Famagusta general hospital, warning that the issue could have severe consequences for patient health.
Pasyki attributed the lack of adequate staffing at the A&E to what it called “poor management” by the state health service Okypy.
The union said that following the recent resignations of three specialised doctors, Okypy chose to procure services from unqualified physicians, a move Pasyki claims violates existing laws, regulations and agreements aimed at maintaining service quality.
Pasyki further criticised the involvement of the medical director of the hospital in adjusting the department’s duty schedule, describing this as “mismanagement at its peak”.
The statement also said that the director had attempted to shift responsibility onto the medical staff by mandating a 12-hour night shift be covered by a single doctor, a policy deemed by Pasyki “unacceptable and condemnable”.
The union highlighted that the A&E requires a minimum of two doctors per shift to maintain safe staffing levels, emphasising that the standards at the Famagusta general hospital appear inconsistent with accepted protocols, irrespective of potential consequences.
Pasyki concluded by stressing that frontline doctors bear no responsibility for the shortages, noting their significant efforts to meet patient needs despite difficult conditions.
“Responsibility for the issues at Famagusta general hospital remains to be assigned,” it said.
