Okypy says doctors’ strike ‘unnecessary’ (updated)

The 24-hour strike planned for Thursday by public hospital doctors in protest over uncertainly in medical malpractice suit insurance is unnecessary, spokesman of the state health services organisation (Okypy) Charalambos Charilaou said on Wednesday.

According to public hospital doctors’ union Pasyki, the relevant state agencies – including the ministry of health, the ministry of finance, and the legal service – have failed to provide public employees with insurance benefits accorded in legislations.

The benefits were transferred to the state health services organisation (Okypy) under condition that employees would retain their obligations and rights.

However, Pasyki claims Okypy has failed to determine procedures for doctors employed under non-permanent contracts who are not classed as state employees.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Charilaou rebuffed Pasyki’s accusation saying that an extension of the insurance benefits has been secured for all Okypy staff until the end of this year.

He also mentioned the extension of the handling of cases related to professional negligence of public doctors by the legal service.

“All the doctors’ unions have been duly informed through written letters,” Charilaou said.

“Specifically, Pasyki was informed on April 21. In fact, another trade union, Pasydy, expressed its satisfaction with the actions undertaken by us in a letter dated April 27.

“We believe that Pasyki’s strike actions are unnecessary and do not benefit patients,” Charilaou said.

The strike is planned for 7.30am Thursday to 7.30am Friday.

The Okypy spokesperson added, however, that in hospitals and clinics where Pasyki doctors are employed, the necessary number of physicians will be available to meet the needs of emergency cases.

“No patient will be left without the proper assistance,” he assured.

Regarding the cancellation of appointments, he said that it is the responsibility of each hospital to inform patients.

Asked if there will be any developments on the matter on Wednesday, Charilaou reiterated that a written letter has been sent to the trade unions, informing them that there is no issue.

“From there on, it is a matter for the unions to decide on their course of action.”

In response to the Charilaou’s statements, Pasyki president Sotiris Koumas said that they did not expect a different approach from Okypy.

“It is their standard response to everything to claim that there is no issue,” he said.

“The daily scenarios in public hospitals, however, do not support such claims.

“For us, there is an issue and our request is simple. According to the law, every civil servant, including public doctors, are covered by the state in cases of negligence.”