Patients' groups demand accountability for inaccessible healthcare facilities in Cyprus

The Cyprus Paraplegics Organisation (OPAK) and the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations (CyFPA) have reported ongoing issues regarding the accessibility of medical facilities for individuals with disabilities. Despite a formal recommendation issued by the Ombudswoman in 2023, many clinics and hospitals remain difficult or unsafe to navigate, lacking features such as wheelchair-accessible elevators, height-adjustable examination tables, and adequate parking facilities near building entrances.

In a letter sent on September 1, 2026, OPAK formally requested an update from the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) regarding the implementation of the 2023 recommendations. Dimitris Lambrianidis, representing both organizations, stated that these physical barriers violate the fundamental right to equal access to healthcare. The groups are seeking clarity on progress made since the initial directive and are demanding to know the official channels through which patients can report inaccessible infrastructure. The current situation highlights a persistent failure in ensuring that healthcare services in Cyprus are compliant with the needs of all citizens, particularly those with reduced mobility, who continue to face systemic exclusion from standard medical care.