Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela on Monday inaugurated a new trauma unit at Nicosia general hospital, saying it was an important step in upgrading health services in Cyprus.

“It is with pride and satisfaction that I am here today for the presentation of an important project in the field of health services, which strengthens our goal and vision to upgrade health services in our country,” he said.

The unit was deemed necessary following a report submitted by director of surgery at the University of Southern California in the US, Dr Demetris Demetriades, and his Nicosia counterpart, Dr Chrysanthos Georgiou, the minister said.

“The lack of appropriate infrastructure for the implementation of the indicated international scientific trauma protocols makes the treatment of multiple traumas as insufficient and fragmented and despite the honourable, continuous, and tireless efforts of the medical and nursing staff, the result was not the desired one.”

Following treatment in the A&E department of the hospital, patients will be able to receive care at the trauma unit, if they require consistent monitoring.

The unit was first introduced at a cabinet session as was a committee of a Pancyprian Trauma Committee, which will monitor the work done at the new unit.

The committee will be made up of permanent secretary of health ministry Christina Yiannaki, a trauma surgeon, and the head of the ambulance unit at the state health services organisation Okypy.