**Okypy Defends Transfer of Private Hospital Patients Following Complaints**
The state health services organisation, Okypy, issued a statement on Friday defending the practice of transferring patients with postoperative complications from private hospitals to public health facilities. The clarification comes in response to concerns raised by former health minister and Disy MP George Pamboridis regarding a specific case involving a patient who experienced serious complications after surgery.
According to Okypy, the transfer of patients from the private sector to public hospitals is a common and accepted medical practice. The organisation highlighted that in just the past week, two patients with postoperative complications were transferred from a private hospital to Limassol general hospital. This practice is part of a broader protocol that allows public hospitals to manage complex cases that may arise after procedures performed in private facilities.
In the case brought to light by Pamboridis, Okypy spokesman Charalambos Charilaou explained that the patient had initially received treatment at a private hospital but later developed significant postoperative complications. This situation necessitated her admission to the accident and emergency department at Nicosia general hospital. Okypy firmly denied allegations that medical staff at the private hospital had refused to provide necessary care, asserting that the decision to transfer the patient was made based on a thorough assessment of her condition.
Charilaou noted that discussions had taken place between the medical teams at both the private hospital and Nicosia general hospital, along with Okypy officials, prior to the transfer. It was determined that if the private hospital was unable to adequately address the patient's complications, the care would be more effectively managed at the public facility.
Okypy emphasized that such transfers are a routine aspect of healthcare operations, with public hospitals routinely receiving referrals for complex cases from private institutions. The organisation reiterated the importance of hospitals being equipped with the necessary staffing and resources to handle the procedures they perform, as well as any complications that may arise.
The statement from Okypy also raised concerns about the conditions under which specialized services are provided in private hospitals. The organisation questioned how a leading private hospital could perform surgical procedures while simultaneously being unable to manage the complications that may follow.
Pamboridis's public complaint highlighted the issue of patient care within the private healthcare system, as he alleged that the patient in question was denied admission to the emergency department of the private hospital due to a lack of available beds. He described the situation as "reprehensible" and indicated that he had reported the incident to the patient ombudsman for further investigation.
As the debate continues, Okypy remains committed to ensuring that patients receive appropriate care, regardless of whether they are treated in public or private facilities. The organisation's defense of its practices underscores the ongoing discussions about the roles and responsibilities of both sectors within the healthcare system in Cyprus.
This incident raises broader questions about the capacity and capabilities of private hospitals in handling postoperative complications and the collaboration between public and private healthcare providers to ensure patient safety and well-being.