Critical shortage of endocrinologists in Cyprus leads to long patient wait times

Patients in Cyprus requiring endocrinology services face significant delays, with public sector appointments currently booked until December 2026. Private doctors within the General Healthcare System (GeSY) are scheduling appointments as far as March 2027 or are refusing to accept new patients. Miltos Miltiadous, secretary of the Federation of Patients' Associations of Cyprus, reported that there are 30 endocrinologists in the system and approximately 15 practicing outside of it to serve nearly one million beneficiaries. This shortage is particularly problematic given that over 10% of the population suffers from diabetes, alongside rising thyroid-related conditions. The Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Organization (HIO), and the Cyprus Medical Association have acknowledged the long-standing problem but have yet to resolve it. Miltiadous noted that HIO-imposed restrictions continue to exacerbate the difficulty for patients seeking timely care. Those seeking appointments within GeSY wait three to five months, while those seeking out-of-system care wait one to three months.