Supreme Constitutional Court orders re-examination of cancer patient treatment funding

The Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus has annulled an earlier administrative court ruling that supported the Ministry of Health's decision to deny funding for a patient's liver cancer surgery abroad. The patient, diagnosed in 2012, sought specialized surgery in London, arguing that local surgeons in Cyprus lacked the necessary expertise. The Ministry of Health initially rejected the request, citing advice from the Surgery Experts Committee that the procedure could be performed at the Nicosia General Hospital. Following the refusal, the patient underwent surgery at a private clinic in London and subsequently claimed reimbursement of approximately €68,000 for medical and travel expenses. The appeal centered on two new documents presented by the patient that challenged the professional credentials of the local surgeon identified by the Ministry. The Court ruled that the Ministry must re-examine the case because the initial investigation was incomplete and potentially based on erroneous information. The administrative court had previously refused to consider these new documents, but the Supreme Constitutional Court has now mandated their inclusion in the review process.