**Title: ‘No Promises Broken’ for Athalassa Hospital, Says President Christodoulides**
In response to concerns raised by trade unions regarding the state of the Athalassa psychiatric hospital, President Nikos Christodoulides affirmed on Tuesday that the government has not broken any promises related to the facility. His comments came after the Pasydy trade union highlighted significant issues, including understaffing and inadequate infrastructure.
During a press briefing, President Christodoulides emphasized the government's commitment to addressing challenges across the healthcare system. He stated, “We are working to address all the challenges at hospitals in general.” He further noted that a meeting was scheduled later in the day with the Organisation for the Development of the State Health Services (Okypy) to discuss broader planning and investments in public hospitals, which are set to exceed €126 million.
Concerns about the Athalassa hospital's conditions were brought to light last month when Pasydy warned of severe staff shortages and overcrowding. The union described the situation as critical, stating that wards are operating at 150 percent of their capacity. This, they argued, poses risks to both patient and staff safety, as employees are expected to provide care in conditions that are not acceptable for a modern healthcare facility.
The union's statements reflect a growing concern among healthcare workers about the sustainability of operations at the hospital. They have called for immediate action to rectify the staffing issues and improve the overall environment for both patients and staff.
As discussions continue regarding the future of the Athalassa hospital, the government appears to be focusing on long-term solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of care and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. The commitment to invest in public healthcare infrastructure is seen as a positive step towards addressing the systemic issues highlighted by the unions.
The situation at Athalassa remains a critical point of discussion within the broader context of Cyprus's healthcare system, as stakeholders seek to find effective resolutions to ongoing challenges.