Reports of unauthorized plasmapheresis clinics in Cyprus emerge

Medical authorities and experts in Cyprus have raised urgent concerns regarding the operation of unauthorized medical centers performing plasmapheresis. This scrutiny follows the death of Greek singer George Mazonakis in Athens, who had reportedly visited such a facility, sparking a broader debate about the risks of unregulated wellness procedures. In Cyprus, reports have emerged of a facility in the Larnaca district that allegedly performed these procedures without proper licensing, leading to serious medical complications for at least one patient who required intensive care two years ago.

Dr. Marinos Sotiriou, a cardiothoracic surgeon and head of the American Medical Center, confirmed that a patient was hospitalized at his clinic after experiencing severe clotting following a procedure at the unauthorized Larnaca center. The facility reportedly operated during the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting patients suffering from Long COVID. Physician Dr. Vassos Oikonomou and other medical professionals state that multiple complaints regarding unlicensed medical practices have been submitted to the Ministry of Health, the Police, and the Attorney General’s office over several years, yet they argue that state authorities have failed to take effective enforcement action.

While investigations into the specific center are ongoing, health officials and the medical community are now emphasizing the need for strict regulation and public caution regarding wellness procedures that are not clinically validated or legally approved.