**Health Committee Presses for Action on Limassol Hospital Upgrades**
The House health committee of Cyprus has called for urgent action regarding staffing and oncology services at Limassol General Hospital during a visit held on Thursday. The committee, led by chair Savia Orphanidou, emphasized the need to address four critical specialties required by the hospital to enhance its healthcare delivery.
During the visit, Orphanidou highlighted the necessity for upgrading the hospital's haematology clinic, advocating for the addition of more doctors and nursing staff. She also underscored the importance of developing comprehensive cancer treatment services, which may include the capability for the hospital to perform bone marrow transplants using either the patient's own cells or donor cells.
Orphanidou expressed her expectations for the state health services organization, known as Okypy, to take immediate measures to resolve the ongoing issues at the hospital. “We expect you to proceed with all measures and to immediately resolve these problems,” she stated.
In response, Okypy's board chairman, Marinos Kallis, acknowledged the challenges faced by the hospital and assured the committee that solutions and timelines had already been established. Kallis reported that Okypy has invested over €250 million in infrastructure and equipment over the past three years and that they have successfully completed a recovery plan on schedule. He stated that ongoing development projects at Limassol General Hospital are expected to be finalized by the end of next year.
The committee's discussions also included the urgent need for prioritizing cancer treatment services. Orphanidou expressed the hope that the German oncology center would receive approval to conduct bone marrow transplants using donor cells. This initiative is seen as a significant step towards improving cancer care in the region.
Professor Nikolaos Zampoglou, the chief executive of the German oncology center, welcomed the committee's engagement but pointed out that some challenges require immediate attention. He noted that rising costs in Limassol are complicating efforts to meet employee demands, while the degradation of services at social insurance institutions is further straining the healthcare system.
“Good will from everyone is needed to find solutions,” Zampoglou remarked, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance healthcare services. He also highlighted that improvements should be patient-centered, focusing on the needs of those receiving care.
Additionally, Zampoglou expressed support for the establishment of a patients’ ombudsman, which he believes will facilitate better communication and resolution of issues for both patients and healthcare providers.
As the health committee continues to advocate for improvements at Limassol General Hospital, the focus remains on ensuring that the necessary resources and infrastructure are in place to provide high-quality healthcare services to the community. The urgency of addressing staffing shortages and expanding oncology services reflects a growing recognition of the need for enhanced medical care in Cyprus, particularly for cancer patients.
The developments at Limassol General Hospital will be closely monitored as the health committee and Okypy work collaboratively to implement the proposed upgrades and ensure that the hospital meets the healthcare demands of the population effectively.