Emilianidou still in critical but stable condition, ministry says

Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou remains in stable but critical condition as she receives urgent treatment in Greece, the health ministry announced in a new update on Wednesday.

Emilianidou underwent lengthy surgery in Athens to treat a cerebral aneurysm. She was transported to Greece in an emergency ambulance airlift on Sunday night.

The health ministry said the minister was suffering from severe headaches on Sunday night and was taken immediately to a private clinic where her condition was diagnosed.

“After coordinated efforts by the minister of health and the ministry’s permanent secretary, Ms Emilianidou was transported urgently by air-ambulance to a specialised medical centre in Greece,” the ministry said.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas travelled to Athens with her.

Reports later in the morning said Emilianidou had initially been rushed to the American Medical Centre in Nicosia whose director Marinos Sotiriou told Cyprus Times that when she left for Athens on a special flight the minister was still conscious.

On Tuesday, President Nicos Anastasiades said he was shaken by the minister’s health problem, as he wished 67-year-old Emilianidou a swift recovery.

“From the depths of my soul I wish for her to be with us swiftly.”

There has been an outpouring of support for the minister, while a number of government events have been postponed.