More cases of doctors allegedly demanding illegal payments from patients within General Healthcare System (GHS) have emerged following a recent high-profile incident.
Two new complaints philenews has, detail separate cases of GHS physicians allegedly soliciting unauthorised payments.
In one instance, an orthopaedic specialist reportedly demanded €150 from a patient to expedite an appointment.
In another case, a surgeon allegedly requested payment to fast-track surgery, claiming part of the money was needed for the anaesthesiologist.
Parliamentary Health Committee Chairman Efthymios Diplaros confirmed receiving similar complaints in recent months.
“We have specific information from patients’ relatives about GHS-contracted doctors demanding set amounts either to schedule surgeries earlier or to expedite appointments”, he said.
Speaking to philenews, Diplaros expressed frustration that affected citizens remain reluctant to file formal complaints despite encouragement.
“Citizens fear coming forward with official complaints that would allow proper investigation and prosecution of doctors found to have broken the law”, he said.
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