The State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) faces mounting pressure as the three nephrologists at Larnaca General Hospital declare they can no longer cover on-call duties due to severe understaffing, sources close to the matter revealed on Wednesday.
The three nephrologists have informed 170 patients receiving care at the hospital about their inability to maintain the current on-call schedule, citing professional burnout.
SHSO has repeatedly advertised a position for a medical officer in nephrology since October 27 2022, but has thus far failed to secure a suitable candidate.
In a letter dated October 7, the head nephrologist of the Nephrology Clinic and Haemodialysis Unit at Larnaca Hospital stated that “the existing medical staff is unable to cover on-call duties in nephrology for the foreseeable future”.
The letter attributes this situation to severe understaffing, which it claims is “a result of SHSO management’s delay in properly staffing the departments”.
SHSO has implemented temporary measures, with doctors from Nicosia Hospital covering two morning shifts and one from Famagusta Hospital covering some on-call duties. However, this arrangement is straining resources at other hospitals.
Larnaca MP Christos Orphanides, who raised the issue a year ago, criticised SHSO’s response as “spasmodic”.
He argues that the temporary staffing solution, which only covers Monday and Tuesday mornings, fails to address the needs of kidney patients adequately.
SHSO spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou defended the organisation’s efforts, stating, “There has been no delay from the Organisation, and no on-call duty will be left uncovered”.
He noted that SHSO “has made every effort to find doctors” and attributed the shortage partly to recent resignations.
Health Minister Michael Damianos told philenews that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation. “As an interim measure, SHSO is supporting the Nephrology Clinic of Larnaca Hospital with medical staff from other provinces, ensuring the continuation of services”, Damianos said, adding that the ministry’s goal is to ensure quality medical services for citizens.
