The state doctors’ union Pasyki and the board of directors of Pasydy have declared a three-hour work stoppage in public hospitals and health centres on Wednesday, from 8-11am.

“Absence, authoritarianism, disrespect and insults to unions by the state health services (Okypy) can no longer be tolerated,” they said in an abrupt announcement on Monday.

“We apologise to our fellow citizens for any inconvenience, unfortunately Okypy’s attitude leaves us no choice but to implement the measures,” it added.

The union says the medical staff of the public hospitals cannot continue operating under present conditions.

Pasyki’s president Sotiris Koumas in a letter sent to Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas earlier this month accused Okypy of blocking the development of public hospitals, stressing the organisational problems that doctors face.

The two sides met last Thursday with Hadjipandelas, without desired results, which led to the decision for the stoppage.