Chronic patients in Cyprus are facing a healthcare crisis after being excluded from free medical services due to their employment status in the civil service, forcing some to discontinue treatment due to costs.
According to Marios Kouloumas, honorary president of the Federation of Patient Associations of Cyprus (CyFPA/OSAK), some patients have been forced to stop their treatments because they cannot afford medications or dietary supplements, while others, mainly pensioners, must rely on family and friends for support.
“Their only fault is working in the public sector and belonging to the small group of civil servants excluded by Parliament from free healthcare eligibility”, he said.
OSAK’s Patient Observatory has been receiving constant complaints about this issue since March 2024. The situation affects seriously ill patients, including those requiring tracheostomy and special nutritional supplements.
The problem extends to spouses and children of current and former civil servants who have also lost their right to free services.
Among those affected are members of the Cyprus Celiac Association, who require expensive gluten-free flour, and cases like a civil servant’s spouse suffering from Crohn’s disease while undergoing dialysis who no longer qualifies for free services.
PASIDY General Secretary Stratis Matthaiou told philenews that the decision “lacks rational basis” and discriminates against civil servants compared to other state sector workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters who retain these benefits.
He noted that while low-income private sector workers maintain their rights, low-income civil servants do not.
The union has appealed to the President of the Republic after receiving assurances from the Ministry of Finance about restoring the benefit.
“We have shown patience, but the matter remains pending with no sign of movement towards resolution”, Matthaiou stated, indicating that further action may be necessary.
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