Cypriot patients travelling to France for medical procedures find themselves literally at God’s mercy — with no state safety net whatsoever. The revelation came during yesterday’s Parliamentary Health Committee session, exposing a shocking picture of indifference.
According to evidence presented, for quite some time there has been no representative from the Cypriot embassy in France to guide patients with transportation or provide translation during hospital visits.
AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou revealed a striking fact: “A Cypriot citizen living in France has taken it upon himself to help them — he accompanies them to doctors and translates. We’re lucky this person was found, otherwise the patients would be completely helpless.”
As Nikolaou explained, letters were sent to both the Foreign Affairs and Health ministries. “At some point, the Foreign Minister replied that the matter had been handed to the Health Ministry. Since then, nothing has happened,” she added.
At the same session, AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros raised the problem of Famagusta Hospital, where a pilot data recording system is malfunctioning. “There is a fear that from Monday, patient registrations will be done by hand, on paper,” he warned, calling the situation “unacceptable for a public hospital in 2026.”
Health Minister Neofytos Charalambidis pledged to investigate both issues, while informing Parliament about the chronic nursing shortage. The relevant report is expected on March 8.
