Tensions rise in Cyprus health system over referral policies and doctor-patient relations

Recent reports from the Cyprus Patients’ Association (OSAK) and local media have highlighted growing friction between patients and personal doctors within the General Health System (Gesy). Beneficiaries have reported incidents of doctors refusing to provide medical referrals or unilaterally removing patients from their registration lists following requests for specialized care, leading to significant delays and confusion for those seeking medical treatment.

The core of the controversy involves a performance index utilized by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO). While the HIO, represented by official Petros Neofytou, asserts that there is no absolute cap on referrals and that the index serves only to prevent system abuse, many doctors argue that the mechanism effectively limits their ability to issue necessary referrals. Doctors claim that the index is tied to their compensation, leading them to delay or deny referrals to stay within acceptable performance thresholds.

OSAK President Miltos Miltiadous has condemned these "unacceptable phenomena" while noting that overall satisfaction with the system remains high. As the debate continues, both the medical community and patient advocates are calling for a revision of the current criteria to replace performance indices with more transparent quality standards, urging the HIO to acknowledge and address the systemic distortions currently affecting patient care.