Concerns over unauthorized medical centers and plasmapheresis in Cyprus

Concerns have intensified in Cyprus regarding unlicensed medical facilities offering high-risk procedures like plasmapheresis. Dr. Marinos Sotiriou, director of the American Medical Centre, reported that a patient required intensive care two years ago after suffering extensive thrombosis following a procedure at an unauthorized clinic in the Aradippou/Larnaca area. While the patient has recovered, the case has sparked a public debate on the dangers of experimental treatments often marketed for long Covid, anti-aging, or wellness, sometimes costing up to 50,000 euros.

Investigations into these centers have faced significant hurdles. Although the Ministry of Health inspected a facility in 2022 and found it using equipment for unauthorized purposes and importing human cells from Ukraine and Slovakia, police and legal authorities concluded in late 2023 that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. Dr. Vassos Oikonomou and other medical professionals are now calling for coordinated state action to close these loopholes, as the centers continue to exploit vulnerable patients seeking relief from chronic conditions.