Unions oppose government proposal to reduce nurse-to-patient ratios in private hospitals

Four major trade unions in Cyprus, including PEO, SEK, PASYNO, and PASYDY, have issued a joint statement opposing the Ministry of Health's proposed legislative amendment. The government proposal seeks to reduce the mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratio in private hospitals. The unions argue that this change constitutes a regression rather than a modernization of the healthcare system. They warned that decreasing staff levels would inevitably lead to delays in patient care and a significant degradation of medical services. Additionally, the labor organizations expressed deep concern that such policies would exacerbate the existing professional burnout among nursing staff. The unions stated that these changes could potentially endanger human lives and compromised patient safety. They have formally called upon the Ministry of Health to immediately withdraw the legislative amendment and prioritize public health standards.