Pasydy nurses call on minister to up numbers at hospitals

Nurses belonging to Pasydy union on Wednesday called on Health Minister Popi Kanari to intervene and increase staffing levels in the island’s hospitals.

During a recent meeting, the administrative board of the nurses branch of the union addressed the ongoing staffing crisis plaguing public hospitals, specifically failed agreements with state health services (Okypy) officials.

Pasydy said it intends to raise the matter with Health Minister Popi Kanari in an upcoming meeting, seeking her intervention.

The union also added that if their demands are not met within weeks, they will call a strike.

“We will request the immediate adoption of the agreement reached with Okypy, along with the establishment of a timeline for its implementation,” the union said.

“Additionally, once again we will ask Okypy to determine a mechanism for prompt replacement of absentees due to leave, resignations, and the unfortunate event of colleagues’ passing.

“Should the health ministry and the Okypy administrative board fail to comply with our demands, we will take assertive measures to protect both patients and staff.”