Two-hour work stoppage at Larnaca general hospital

Doctors working in the paediatric department at Larnaca general hospital went on an impromptu two-hour strike on Thursday over staff shortages.

They accused state health services Okypy of being indifferent to the problems plaguing the hospital and not doing anything to protect doctors or children being treated.

“The way Okypy operates is truly sad and enraging,” Pasyno union spokesman Theodoros Petelis said during the strike between 8am-10am.

According to the spokesman, Okypy insisted there were enough doctors to look after 20 beds in the department. Nonetheless, there were 25 beds in use but no extra staff.

“Today, there are 28 children in the department. Two in the entertainment room and one in the examination room. Instead of finding staff for help the increased patients, Okypy instead asked to move six doctors from Larnaca to Famagusta hospital, so their needs are taken care of.

“This shows Okypy has no intention to solve the problem.”

The department was working with skeleton staff so as not to risk the safety of children.

Adamos Hadjipanayi, medical chief of the paediatric department and Larnaca general hospital, said all paediatric wards across Europe were overcrowded at the moment.

He called on doctors to work instead of striking.

“We’ve taken steps to help all children that need our medical help.” A request to add two more nursing staff was approved, he added.

“There are many sick people and sometimes during the day, we may exceed the number of children we’re allowed to look after. There are more beds available than those we use, and it’s a shame to leave children helpless either in the ER or at home.”

He said doctors striking were being unethical and unacceptable.