**Karousos Decries ‘Concerning’ Staff Shortages at Paralimni Hospital**
Famagusta district governor Yiannis Karousos has raised alarms over significant staffing shortages at the Famagusta General Hospital in Paralimni, labeling the situation as “seriously concerning.” On Friday, Karousos addressed the issue in a letter directed to Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides and the state health services organization, Okypy, seeking immediate answers and a specific timetable for addressing the staffing deficiencies.
Karousos highlighted the absence of a permanent pulmonologist at the hospital, which is critical for treating serious pulmonary cases. Currently, a non-permanent pulmonologist visits the facility only three to four times a month. Additionally, he pointed out that a neurologist is available just once a week, despite the hospital treating cases of strokes and other severe neurological conditions. The waiting list for examinations in these specialties reportedly exceeds six to seven months.
The governor also mentioned that the hospital previously had daily coverage from an ophthalmologist, but that service has diminished, leading to a lack of immediate ophthalmological evaluations for urgent cases. In light of these challenges, Karousos has requested clarification on whether doctors and other staff who were previously stationed in Paralimni have been reassigned elsewhere, and the reasons behind such moves.
Karousos emphasized that Famagusta is not seeking preferential treatment but rather the basic medical coverage expected of a district-level hospital, especially one serving a significant tourist area. “It is not possible for a district-level hospital, which is called upon to serve the residents of the whole free district, but also one of the largest tourist areas in Cyprus, to lack adequate and daily coverage in basic medical specialties,” he stated.
He further asserted that the issue transcends political lines and should not be politicized. Instead, it is fundamentally about public health, patient safety, and equitable treatment for the Famagusta district. “We expect specific answers, specific actions, and a clear timetable from the health ministry and Okypy. The Famagusta hospital must be strengthened, and it must be strengthened now,” he urged.
The staffing shortages at Famagusta General Hospital are not an isolated issue but part of a broader trend affecting healthcare services across Cyprus. For years, the island has grappled with a shortage of medical personnel, particularly nurses. The nurses’ union, Pasyno, has previously described these shortages as the “gangrene of the health system,” emphasizing the challenges faced by nursing staff who strive to provide quality care under chronic understaffing conditions.
The union has highlighted that nurses often work in miserable conditions, facing serious shortages that impact their ability to care for patients effectively. Concerns have also been echoed by the left-wing political party Akel, which has pointed to chronic understaffing, precarious working conditions, and inadequate remuneration as contributing factors to nurse burnout, high resignation rates, and migration of healthcare professionals.
In 2024, the state doctors’ trade union Pasyki warned that some hospital departments might be forced to close due to severe understaffing. Pharmacists at the Limassol General Hospital have also protested against similar issues, highlighting the widespread nature of the staffing crisis within the healthcare system.
Trade union Pasydy’s nursing branch has criticized the treatment of nurses by those in power, calling for urgent attention to staffing levels. The Pancyprian Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association (Pasynm) has urged political leaders and healthcare employers to invest in nursing and midwifery professions, advocating for improved support mechanisms to ensure the welfare, health, and safety of these professionals.
As the situation at Famagusta General Hospital unfolds, the call for immediate action and resolution to the staffing crisis remains a pressing concern for both healthcare workers and the community they serve.