Concerns are mounting among medical professionals after a second commando recruit was admitted to intensive care at Nicosia General Hospital with suspected heatstroke.
The 18-year-old soldier was transferred from his unit in a semi-comatose state and remains intubated in the ICU, undergoing extensive tests.
While an official diagnosis is pending, the symptoms mirror those of another recruit hospitalised a week prior who was subsequently transferred to a specialist centre in Paris.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the soldier fell ill after afternoon rest and was initially treated at the unit’s medical centre before being transferred to Nicosia General. An official update on his condition is expected later today.
This latest incident has intensified discussions among Cypriot doctors regarding the prevalence of severe heatstroke symptoms in young, otherwise healthy individuals. While not unheard of internationally, such cases are considered extreme.
Medical professionals are raising concerns about the adequacy of protective measures during high-temperature training exercises, the potential impact of unit facilities on soldiers’ health during heatwaves, and the comprehensiveness of health examinations for commando candidates.
Read more:
