Patients of the haemodialysis unit at Famagusta general hospital held a protest outside the facility on Wednesday to press for a second doctor permanently on call in case of emergency and more nurses.

Patients’ representative George Kezos said that the unit is currently understaffed, since a second nephrologist who was working at the hospital retired. He also called on the hospital’s administration to hire more nurses to better respond to the needs of the patients.

“One and a half years ago we were promised that the haemodialysis unit at the Famagusta general hospital would be expanded,” Kezos said.

“The people in charge assured us of the existence of the funds needed for the expansion and that the project would start in January 2021.

“However, we are yet to see the start of the expansion, at a time when other haemodialysis units around Cyprus are seeing improvements.”

Kezos added the patients he represents are not opposed to the expansion of other units in the island but feel the unit in Famagusta is being overlooked.

“We feel like second-class patients, since it’s been now six years since we have asked for better care here in Famagusta.”

He said there are currently 45 patients on dialysis treatment at the hospital, with 15 more on a waiting list. Kezos claimed that the facility cannot cope with more than 45 patients at the moment.

“These 15 people who need their treatment are forced to go to Larnaca hospital, where they wait for up to three or four hours before they are seen by a specialist doctor,” Kezos added.

“The hospital in Larnaca cannot cover the needs of the patients from the Famagusta district, who should be treated closer to where they live,” Kezos concluded.