Hospitals have an increased flow of admissions for infections, while there are also increased cases of coronavirus, said the Minister of Health, Popi Kanari, on Saturday, as part of her visit to the Makarios Hospital in order to give together with Santa Claus, ahead of the Christmas holidays and of the New Year, gifts to children who are hospitalized and to talk with their parents.
On the occasion of her visit to Makario Hospital, the Minister assured that the upgrading of the services offered will continue, adding that Makario is included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan for upgrading.
When asked about the ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) warning about various infections and the relevant actions taken by the Ministry, Ms. Kanari replied that these are infections which mainly concern respiratory problems and that hospitals have a increased flow of imports into infections. He also said that there is also an increase in the cases of coronavirus.
The Minister recommended to the vulnerable groups and especially to the elderly who have a relative hesitation, as she mentioned, to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, noting that there are vaccination centers as well as mobile units.
When asked if she has received the report on the complaint of patient abuse by a nurse, Mrs. Kanari said that she has received the report and it is being studied, pointing out that where and where there are serious responsibilities, they will certainly be assigned to set an example to the rest.
Asked about the recent agreement to create a liver clinic and where the process is at, the Minister of Health said that “we are at a very good stage and we already have the reports of the two hospitals and we are studying them”.
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He added that at the beginning of the year OKYpY will announce the two positions of hepatologists and at the beginning of 2024 the hepatology clinic will start as it should have been done for patients who need to be monitored either after transplants or for other hepatological problems. To a question about where the hepatology clinic will be housed, the Minister replied that it will be housed at the Nicosia General Hospital.
Distribute gifts to children with Santa Claus
Referring to her visit, Mrs. Kanari said that “ten days before Christmas we came here to Makarios Hospital where our children are, to the reference hospital for children to give a touch of joy to these children and their parents, to give the our wishes which are none other than that they quickly return home, overcome these difficulties and return to everyday life”.
He noted that both the children and the parents with their courage are “an inspiration for us to continue to serve and give better services in the health sector”.
The Minister thanked the staff of the hospitals for their work saying that the doctors, nurses and other staff and the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) with its own efforts all want to provide excellent services to children, support to parents.
“On this occasion, I will have the opportunity to talk to both the children and the parents, to get some messages about the administration and the provision of services”, he said.
In response to a question about whether she will visit other hospitals ahead of the holidays, Mrs. Kanari said that she will also visit the Nicosia General Hospital and next year other public and private hospitals.
On the occasion of the holidays, the Minister wished everyone health, joy and all the best for the new year.
The second day care room for children was inaugurated today
The Scientific Director of Makarios Hospital, Dr. Christos Minas, thanked the Minister of Health for her visit to Makarios Hospital, noting that at the initiative of the All-Cypriot Association of Rare Genetic Diseases “Unique Smiles” and the Minister of Health, OKYpY is launching today and the second day care room for children.
He added that this applies to children who need enzyme replacement and other agents and who fall under the rare diseases.
“Our only concern, the Ministry of Health and the Association “Unique Smiles”, is to provide care to these children with as little suffering as possible and we will make sure that this is done”, concluded Mr. Minas.
The President of the All-Cypriot Association of Rare Genetic Diseases “Unique Smiles”, Katia Kyriakou, thanked the Minister of Health, the Director of Makarios Hospital and the District Director for all the help in creating the day care room for children who receive treatments on a weekly basis.
He noted that the creation of this room was a standing request and explained that there was already one and a second one was being created, expressing the hope that an organized clinic with trained staff would be created.
Good news is expected for the hepatology clinic
The Minister of Health Popis Kanaris in a greeting at the opening on Friday of the charity photo exhibition “Pathways”, organized by the Association of Liver Patients and Friends of Cyprus, “PROMITHEAS” said that the Ministry is in constant contact with King’s College and Royal Free Hospitals London, expressing the appreciation that within the next period pleasant news will be announced for the creation of a hepatology clinic.
In her greeting, which was broadcast by the GTP, Mrs. Kanari reiterated that the Ministry of Health and herself personally are always on the side of the patients and support the efforts aimed at helping our suffering fellow human beings as well as preventing diseases.
In this context, our efforts to create a hepatology clinic are included, an effort which we expect will have a happy ending as soon as possible, he added.
The Minister of Health also referred to the acclaimed photographer Efrosyni Georgiou, whose collection she launched is inspired by the “odyssey” experienced by a patient when he goes abroad for a transplant, waiting for a donor to give him the greatest gift of life, in order for his life to continue. Hence the symbolic title of today’s exhibition, “Pathways”, he added.
