AKEL MP reports severe staffing shortages at Nicosia General Hospital

AKEL Member of Parliament Efraim Christou visited the emergency department of Nicosia General Hospital on the night of Monday, October 12, 2026, due to acute gastroenteritis. Following his experience, the MP publicly detailed the systemic issues plaguing the facility, highlighting the hardships faced by both patients and medical staff.

Christou described a challenging environment characterized by extreme understaffing and a critical shortage of available patient rooms. He noted distressing scenes during his stay, including an 83-year-old patient forced to lie across three chairs and children sleeping in waiting areas, which he used to illustrate the urgent need for improvements in the state health system and proper allocation of public resources.

The MP emphasized that despite the public criticism often directed at the medical staff, the employees are working under immense pressure with limited resources. He called for a broader reflection on the priorities of the health system as the government prepares for upcoming budget discussions. His testimony highlights ongoing debates regarding the efficacy and funding of Cyprus's public healthcare sector, specifically regarding the capacity and working conditions of emergency departments.