Health sector strikes ‘intensify’

STRIKES at state hospitals and health centres over understaffing and the government’s decision to scrap an increase to the public workers’ cost of living allowance for four months were broadened on Wednesday.

The Cyprus Turkish Physicians Union (Tıp-İş) announced that in addition to the ongoing action, all after-hours medical services provided at the Primary Healthcare Department’s Yenierenköy Health Centre, Güzelyurt Health Centre, Lefkoşa Urban Health Centre and İskele Health Centre will be stopped. Only the 112 emergency ambulance service will be operational out of hours, the statement said.

Tıp-İş stated that their “fight will intensify” until “tangible steps are taken” and invited the government to discuss resolutions for “patient and staff safety issues”.

In a letter addressed to Health Minister Ünal Üstel and sent to Prime Minister Ersan Saner and Finance Minister Dursun Oğuz, Tıpİş stated that in meetings held over the past few weeks with Health Ministry officials, a “consensus” had been reached regarding the appointment and promotions of some 90 doctors.

It was also stated in the letter that since April 5 public healthcare workers have not been paid overtime and, because they cannot leave their workplaces, are being left without meals.

The statement continued that since no concrete steps have been taken by the government regarding their demands, they would be expanding the action that began on April 8.

They pointed out that for more than a year, despite the risks during the pandemic and Covid-19 cases, doctors have continued to diagnose and treat patients.