The government must provide immediate support to the public health system
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 29th October 2020, Nicosia
The country is facing a second wave of the pandemic, but the Famagusta General Hospital, which has been designated a Coronavirus Reference Hospital, is literally on its knees as it faces enormous shortages of doctors, nurses, ward assistants and even cleaners.
Today we are almost 8 months into the pandemic. The government and the Ministry of Health have no excuse whatsoever for the prevailing situation of public hospitals, for their understaffing and disorganization.
- What has the government and the Ministry of Health done all these months to prepare the public health system for a second wave?
- Has the announcement made by the government months ago for the allocation of 100 million euros to provide support to the health sector, been implemented or has it remained on paper?
- Was even one of the 18 proposals submitted by AKEL last May been taken into account for the preparation of the state and hospitals in the event of a new coronavirus wave? AKEL had called for specific measures to meet the needs of staff, consumables and equipment. For the creation of intensive care units in all hospitals and an increase in the number of hospital beds in intensive care units. For the completion of the military hospital in the General Hospital of Nicosia and the utilization of the military hospital in the BMH camp. For the elaboration of an action plan that would be prepared for all scenarios. For the protection of health professionals and workers. For the utilisation of the private sector and on the conditions in the quarantine areas and much more. What did the government and the Ministry of Health do about all these proposals?
The pandemic will not be tackled solely by invoking the individual responsibility of people. The state and the government bear the main responsibility, with the first priority being the provision of direct support towards the public health system.
