Hospitals are understaffed in nursing personnel
Statement by AKEL MP Marina Nicolaou after the meeting of the Parliamentary Health Affairs Committee
11 November 2021
The nurses’ cry of anguish as it has been reflected in today’s session of the Health Affairs Committee cannot but be taken seriously.
The DISY-Anastasiades government, despite its announcements has done little and the verbal recognition of the value of nurse’s work is not enough.
Only yesterday we received written assurance from the Ministry of Health, stating that the Famagusta Hospital is fully staffed. Today, however, before the Parliamentary Committee, nurses are complaining that it is understaffed.
In the same way, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital is also understaffed, despite the promises. The hospital and working conditions at the Athalassa Hospital are still problematic. The overcrowding figures are indicative. Access for the mentally ill to dignified hospitals and quality services is a human right and an obligation a modern State must ensure.
The issue of replacing nurses during long-term leave is also important. We request that the state health services OKYPY immediately take all the necessary measures to fill the positions of those who are absent, so that existing health workers are not overloaded and the health of our fellow citizens is not endangered.
In times of crisis it is even more imperative to protect our working people. Especially those who have proven their vital role by waging the battle on the front line. For that reason, action is needed and we will continue to support their just demand for the full enforcement of Collective Agreements.
