Gynaecologist arrested for charging for fake operation (Update 2)

A Limassol-based gynaecologist was remanded for two days on Wednesday after one of her patients reported that the doctor had lied to her about carrying out a hysterectomy and then charged the national health scheme, Gesy, for the procedure.

The case was reported to the police on September 8 by a 73-year-old woman who claimed the 36-year-old gynaecologist judged she needed the operation last year.

Following her arrest on Tuesday, the doctor appeared before the Limassol district court on Wednesday when a two-day remand was decided.

The 73-year-old woman said she was admitted to a medical centre in Limassol for surgery in November 2020.

The surgery’s cost was estimated at €3,900 and, after the operation, the doctor submitted a relevant application to GESY (general health system) to obtain the sum, police sources told the Cyprus Mail.

However, a few months later, while she was being treated in another private hospital for health issues, she was informed that she needed her uterus removed and the operation was carried out in May 2021, by a private doctor in Limassol, the same sources added.

When the patient contacted the first doctor about the operation, the suspect allegedly changed the GESY entry, from a surgery removing the uterus to one removing the cervix, at a fee of €1,900.

Police launched an investigation and when they received the patient’s medical file saw that the doctor had filled in a discharge document that said the surgery had been carried out.

The gynaecologist denies the allegations, claiming that she made a mistake and removed an 8cm tissue, the sources said.

Αt the same time, evidence was taken from the gynaecologist’s office for further examinations.

Asked about the case, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipandelas told CyBC TV it was unacceptable for doctors to act this way and voiced concern that there were other such cases.

He also noted that an independent gynaecology specialist will be appointed by the ministry to assist police investigations.

The doctor is being investigated for violating the general health scheme law, forgery and circulation of a forged document, fraud as well as negligent and reckless acts.