The patients’ federation (Osak) on Tuesday called on patients to report doctors if they tried to exploit them as the police said investigations are ongoing into a doctor sacked on Monday when it appeared he had asked a family for money.

The comments came after a state doctor had his contract terminated on Monday when a family said he had asked them for money on more than one occasion for medical services.

“The case of the doctor who allegedly requested illegal money from his patient’s parents, as well as the other complaints that came to light, clearly cause concern,” Osak said.

This is not the first time such complaints have been highlighted, it added.

It urged people to call hotlines on 1403 or 1700.

Police spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou meanwhile told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that key testimonies had been taken although investigations are at an early stage.

State doctors’ union (Pasyki) highlighted the need for full transparency in the health sector.

In a statement on Tuesday, it highlighted that “the rules of ethics that govern the medical profession” need to be implemented more strictly.

“Maintaining public trust,” the union said, “is a top priority and for this reason we call for strict action”.

The Pancyprian Medical Association (PIS) said moral and professional integrity was a fundamental principle of medical ethics “which unequivocally condemns any form of financial or other exploitation of patients by anyone, regardless of origin”.

The PIS said as an institution they had to safeguard the “credibility of the medical profession” to prevent discreditation.

The case came to light last week, with Health Minister Michalis Damianos stating that the doctor had been suspended, and a disciplinary investigation was pending.

State health services (Okypy) spokesman Charalambos Charilaou stressed that “since doctors are paid by Okypy, they have no right to ask for even one euro from a patient”.

The Greek doctor had reportedly asked a young patient’s parents for €150 to €300 and on another occasion for €1,700.

The relatives had reported the matter to both health authorities and the police, presenting evidence of text messages between the doctor and themselves.

The young man has since passed away.