Nurses from third countries could help end shortages, says Oev

The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev) on Monday expressed “deep disappointment and strong concern” over the postponement by the House health committee of the examination of two legislative amendments aimed at facilitating the employment of nurses from third countries.

The federation said the proposed amendments had been submitted by the Health Ministry, with the objective of addressing staff shortages in the healthcare system by easing procedures for recruiting nurses from outside the European Union.

In a statement, Oev said that “at a time when the country’s healthcare sector is facing serious shortages of nursing staff“, the failure to take decisions that could help alleviate the problem is causing “enormous dissatisfaction” among affected healthcare service providers.

The federation stated that healthcare providers believe the delay undermines efforts to address pressing workforce gaps that are already affecting the delivery of medical services.

Oev also described as “particularly worrying” the fact that instead of the government bill being examined and approved by parliament, “trade union pressures prevailed over both the right of patients to access quality healthcare and the need to ensure the smooth functioning of the healthcare system”.

According to the federation, the development raises concerns about the future stability of healthcare services if staffing shortages remain unresolved.

Moreover, Oev warned that the situation could even lead to restrictions in healthcare services or the suspension of operations at certain clinics and medical institutions.

The federation added that it has “repeatedly warned about the consequences of the continuing shortage of nursing staff and the potential risks posed to the functioning of healthcare providers”.

In light of the developments, the federation announced that it will immediately convene a broad meeting of healthcare sector organisations affected by the shortages in nursing personnel.

The aim of the meeting will be to assess the current situation, discuss the challenges faced by healthcare providers and determine the next steps and appropriate measures to address the issue.

“It is now time for everyone to assume their responsibilities,” the federation concluded.