A teacher with a rheumatic condition has raised concerns over the flawed medical evaluation process after being assessed without the involvement of a rheumatologist. Despite requesting a change in her evaluation panel, she claims that her condition was not properly assessed during a subsequent evaluation that included the appropriate specialist.
According to her complaint, filed with the relevant government department, the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations for Disabled People, and the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations, the committee did not properly assess her functionality and instead conducted a “simple interview” without considering her medical imaging results, which had already been requested. She was informed that the results had been disregarded.
The teacher, who has been seeking inclusion on the special lists of the education system since 2016, criticised the lack of protocol and the composition of evaluation panels. She pointed out that her condition falls under the category of “invisible disabilities” and that the process did not adequately account for this.
In her complaint, she described how, during her latest evaluation, she was told that there would be no dermatologist available and that the only rheumatologist was based in Nicosia. The evaluation in Limassol would be carried out by orthopedic specialists, and when she insisted that her condition required rheumatology expertise, she was told the evaluation would proceed without a rheumatologist. She expressed her belief that the evaluation should have involved the correct specialist.
Further issues arose when she was asked to submit additional medical or imaging data, without being given a specific deadline. Within three days, she contacted the relevant officer to inform them that she did not have recent imaging results from her rheumatologist. She promptly arranged for an MRI to assess the active phase of her disease. After about a month, she submitted the MRI results, which confirmed the worsening of her condition. However, she was later informed that these results could not be considered, as the decision had been made on the same day.
She concluded, “I believe that I am asking for something entirely reasonable and just: a thorough and scientifically sound evaluation of my condition, with respect for the patient and the involvement of the appropriate specialists.” She emphasised that the failure to consider her MRI results prevented a complete and accurate assessment of her health during the evaluation.
The teacher has been struggling to secure her place on the special lists since 2016, when her health began to deteriorate significantly.
Marios Kouloumas, the honorary president of the Cyprus Federation of Organisations for Disabled People (OSAK), commented on the issue, saying, “In cases of such disabilities, which are often invisible, there are unfortunately frequent discriminations. We see issues with the composition of medical committees, the protocols they follow, and other educational matters, all of which need to be updated.”
Kouloumas added, “It is clear from this case, as well as from others like it, that there is a severe discrimination against people who are constantly battling exams and certificates, only to be repeatedly rejected, perhaps because the protocols and criteria no longer reflect the real needs and modern ways of dealing with disabilities.” He concluded by noting, “These people want to work. They want to be part of the workforce. They don’t want to live off benefits and state support. All they ask for is to be in a work environment that does not exacerbate the problem they are already facing.”
