Cyprus liver disease patient association highlights healthcare system delays

The Prometheus Liver Patient and Friends Association of Cyprus held its General Assembly on Saturday, September 26, to address critical deficiencies in the management of patients with liver diseases. Attendees highlighted systemic challenges, primarily focusing on severe delays in accessing specialized care within the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) network. The association reported that patients currently face waiting times of one to two years for appointments with hepatologists, significantly hindering timely diagnosis and treatment.

Beyond domestic clinic backlogs, the assembly discussed complications regarding the medical referral system for treatment abroad and reported obstacles in ensuring consistent access to essential medications. A specific grievance was raised concerning the delayed deployment of a second physician by OKYPY to receive specialized training in transplant hepatology. These ongoing issues serve as the primary focus for the association’s upcoming advocacy efforts, as they push for immediate improvements to the quality and speed of care for the patient population.

The assembly concluded by establishing these systemic bottlenecks as the core priorities for the organization's future actions. The association continues to advocate for structural changes to minimize waiting lists and improve the efficiency of specialized medical services, though no specific timeline for government action was disclosed in the report.