Two sides in Gesy war of words brand the other ‘clueless’

Those running Gesy were accused of being utterly and completely clueless by the president of the House watchdog committee as the noxious fallout over the healthcare system spread further on Friday.

Diko MP and committee chairman Zacharias Koulias said the Cypriot taxpayer is being burdened by a “bunch of clueless [people]” who are handling contracts to purchase medicines worth hundreds of millions of euros – a point which has taken centre stage in the Gesy row.

The issue broke out on Thursday as the committee descended into chaos with even the police being called in as a person was expelled from the meeting – while the auditor general presented a report on expenses within the healthcare system.

But head of the federation of patients’ associations (Osak) Marios Kouloumas, who was removed from the hall, said on Friday that Koulias himself lacks basic knowledge on the matter and yet is charged with steering the debate.

Kouloumas also said that during the two committee meetings people were prevented from defending Gesy against a barrage of criticism by others, some of whom seek to undermine the healthcare system.

“We couldn’t get a word in,” Kouloumas stressed.

But when pressed as to who exactly was criticising Gesy – allegedly with ulterior motives, not simply constructive observations – Kouloumas was unable to provide specifics, instead referring to those who had offered criticism more broadly.

Kouloumas says that the auditor general’s report has indeed identified issues with Gesy which must be resolved.

But asked about the incendiary point which proved to be the spark which lit the fuse – that the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) is purchasing medicines at far higher prices than the state had been prior to Gesy’s inauguration – Kouloumas emphasised that under the previous system patients were dying if they could not afford the more expensive medicines which were not bought by the state, and that it had been a one size fits all model with only the cheapest being bought under public tenders.

“Medicines are neither bricks nor concrete, it’s not a product that the civil service buys with public tenders and we just get the cheapest items – which was happening prior to Gesy – with patients suffering and losing their lives,” Kouloumas said.

“It was buying medicines under public tenders, so patients only had one product on offer and it was the cheapest one available, and if it worked for you then great – but if not, you had to pay out of your own pocket and if you couldn’t you’d die: and that’s why we got this new healthcare system,” he added.

Kouloumas conceded however that some medicines are now indeed more expensive than they were previously but that the public has a much greater variety and better products on offer which are more suitable to their needs.

The auditor general’s office tweeted on Friday morning that personal attacks made by Kouloumas are regrettable – especially as he has spoken in favour of “secret deals made under the table” by the HIO for medicines at an annual cost of up to €220m.

Koulias, drawing on statements made by the auditor general, asked on Friday: “How is it possible that medicines purchased by the state for €10 are being bought by [the HIO] for €22? If it was from their own pocket would they do it?”

He further said that Kouloumas was asked to leave following continued interruptions made during the auditor general’s presentation and derailing the focus of the committee, as the Osak official was not even addressing the points made by the auditor general and changing the topic.

He claimed that those who are running Gesy are utterly and completely clueless.

Gesy doctors also came in for a hiding, with Koulias saying that it’s unacceptable for them to be earning €30,000 from the healthcare system and only submitting tax returns – if they do at all – 22 months later, without the sums being taxed at source, as happens with other professions.

“You get a salary of €6,000? Right, we’re cutting 25 per cent and if you submit a tax return at the end of the year and you’re entitled to a rebate then you’ll get it – as happens in the right and correct way elsewhere,” Koulias argued.

Their comments on Alpha on Friday morning are set to further heighten tensions, with Kouloumas saying in a separate interview that Koulias’ behaviour is completely unacceptable and bemoaned that others have to put up with him and his insults all because a few people in his district voted for him.

“I represent 37 organisations and 80,000 members and he must respect that,” Kouloumas said.