Nurses at Larnaca General Hospital stage strike over chronic overcrowding

On September 16, 2026, nursing staff at Larnaca General Hospital held a one-hour work stoppage from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. to protest severe overcrowding and chronic staffing shortages. Organized by PASYDY and the Nursing Staff Branch, the protest highlighted that patients are frequently forced to wait for hours in the Accident and Emergency Department (TAEP) due to a lack of available hospital beds.

The hospital management recently opened five additional beds staffed on an overtime basis; however, both the nursing unions and the political party DEPA have criticized this measure as insufficient. Stakeholders warn that these temporary solutions do not replace the need for sustainable, long-term staffing plans. They are now urging the State Health Services Organization (OKYpY) and the Ministry of Health to implement a comprehensive strategy to reopen closed beds and alleviate the heavy workload, noting that the current situation risks the safety and quality of patient care.