The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday withdrew its proposal for the appointment of Dr Petros Agathangelou, the president of the Cyprus Medical Association, to the board of the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO).

The decision was conveyed in a letter to President Nicos Anastasiades, who had come under immense public pressure to revoke Agathangelou’s appointment.

Patients’ groups, political parties and media had demanded the revocation of the decision of Agathangelou, ever since it was announced by the council of ministers.

Agathangelou was considered unfit to serve on the 13-member board of the HIO, because he had publicly opposed the introduction of Gesy and had urged doctors not to join.

The Chamber’s letter offered a face-saving solution for the president as he was faced with the prospect of mass resignations from the HIO board – including that of the chairman – in the event that the appointment was formalised.