President of Cyprus meets with state health officials to discuss hospital investments

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides met with the Chairman of the Board of the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) Charalambos Charilaou and CEO Kypros Stavrides to discuss the development program for public hospitals. The government is investing over €126 million in upgrading public health facilities, with projects currently underway in Nicosia, Limassol, and the Makarios Hospital. Specific improvements nearing completion include the emergency departments, intensive care, and specialized clinics such as nephrology and neurology. During the meeting, officials addressed the goal of achieving financial autonomy for state hospitals by December 31. Additionally, the President addressed criticism from trade unions regarding the Athalassa psychiatric hospital, denying claims that government promises regarding staffing and facility conditions have been broken. Trade unions had previously warned of severe overcrowding and understaffing, noting that some wards were operating at 150 percent capacity. Officials also discussed outstanding financial issues inherited by OKYPY since its inception.