Larnaca plasmapheresis centre closes following parliamentary health committee review

A private medical centre in Larnaca offering plasmapheresis services has voluntarily suspended its operations amid ongoing scrutiny regarding its licensing and staffing. During a parliamentary health committee meeting held on October 15, 2026, it was revealed that the facility operated six plasmapheresis machines without the required operating permit. Furthermore, reports indicated that the two doctors overseeing procedures lacked the necessary medical specializations for such treatments.

The case, which involves police investigations initiated by complaints in 2023 and January 2026, highlighted significant regulatory gaps and fragmented oversight in the Republic of Cyprus. Officials from the Ministry of Health, the Cyprus Medical Association, and the Patients’ Rights Advocate noted that because the centre was classified as a private practice, it largely evaded standard hospital inspection protocols.

Legislators and oversight bodies are now pushing for a reform of the legal framework to ensure that medical procedures are performed only in appropriately licensed facilities by qualified personnel. While the Larnaca facility remains closed, authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the extent of potential regulatory breaches and to establish better inter-agency coordination for the future.