Doctors resign

ELEVEN doctors have resigned due to conditions at Lefkoşa State Hospital where staff are working round-the-clock to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, it was revealed this week.

Health Minister Ali Pilli disclosed the resignations during a recent visit to the hospital, when he called for other doctors and nurses in the country to volunteer to help patients and the over-burdened, remaining staff. “Of the . . . 243 Covid-19 cases, 108 are being treated here and 135 are in pandemic hotels,” he said after an inspection tour of wards and facilities.

“We now urgently need volunteer medical staff, particularly doctors…

“I am making this visit to see the conditions here, to identify needs, listen to problems and speak to patients, all with the aim of finding solutions.

“I would like to thank all doctors and nurses once again as it is very difficult to protect oneself and treat patients suffering from Covid-19, although more stringent precautions will be taken from now on in our fight against the pandemic.

“Parliament will [convene] to make certain decisions but from now on, penalties will be enforced against those who fail to abide by the rules aimed at controlling Covid-19.”

Meanwhile the head of the Cyprus Turkish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Union, Ali Özgocmen, said that a fourth nurse had tested positive for Covid-19.

“These cases are due to the Health Ministry failing to provide the necessary health checks and inspections for nurses who have to work up to 12 hours a day without any days off, so exploiting their dedication,” he said.

“We hope and pray that our colleagues recover soon and call on the Ministry of Health to intervene and make improvements before the situation becomes even worse for medical staff and patients alike.”