Despite the pandemic, over 2,500 patients were treated at the oncology department of the Nicosia general hospital, state health services organisation Okypy said Thursday.

In 2021, 787 patients were treated in the oncology ward, while 1,795 cancer patients received health services in the day-care unit, Okypy said.

“All the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff at every hospital and unit work hard, with dedication and self-sacrifice, providing patients with the best medical care,” the statement added.

Okypy’s announcement came against a backdrop of criticism of health professionals of the department from a family of a patient who died there earlier this year.

The family, who filed an official complaint to the organisation on March 17, claimed they faced difficulties in seeing their relative and reported the behaviour of some health professionals. According to their complaint, which was brought to light over the weekend by Simerini, staff refused to feed the patient who was weak and could not feed himself.