Private rehabilitation centres on Wednesday expressed serious concern over a bill regulating the operation of the centres, saying that proposed legislation in practice equates them with nursing homes and may lead to a deterioration in the quality of services.

Rehab centre association representative Socratis Ioakim told a press conference that the proposed legislation strips them of their capacity as hospitals and incorporates them in a new category of structures.

He said the centres have invested in infrastructure, equipment and specialised staff and have contributed decisively through Gesy in improving patient rehabilitation.

By incorporating them into a new category, the centres will not be operating according to the strict specifications demanded of hospitals, raising serious concerns about the quality of services offered.
Ioakim said the new framework will turn nursing homes into rehabilitation centres without the necessary investments, creating conditions of unfair competition and risking patient safety.

The rehabilitation centres have called on the state to rethink the bill, thus securing high quality services based on solid standards.

The press conference was held at Eden medical centre, which cooperates with Pasykaf and provides palliative care to cancer patients.

Eden’s director Argyris Konias said any decisions related to the future of rehabilitation centres should above all safeguard the best interests of the patients.