Filenews 28 June 2022
The serious health problems with the serious communicable diseases that have been identified in migrant accommodation centres as well as their risk for the transmission of these diseases to the Cypriot society, were the most important issue discussed in the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee on Migration. Serious diseases, according to the complaints, such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and C as well as syphilis have been identified in migrant centres with MPs expressing their deep concern about the possibility of these diseases being transmitted to the indigenous population.
Other complaints have also been heard in the Commission about the Solia area, which, as local officials point out, has been inundated with irregular migrants and asylum seekers.
According to the data provided within the Committee by the Director General of the Ministry of Health, in 2021 11,181 migrants were examined in Pournara and 109 cases of AIDS, 373 cases of hepatitis B, 52 cases of hepatitis C, 53 cases of syphilis and 11 cases with active tuberculosis were identified. As he also mentioned, in 2022 to date, 9,000 migrants were examined in Pournara and 76 cases with AIDS, 317 cases of hepatitis B, 36 cases of hepatitis C, 31 cases of syphilis and 20 with active tuberculosis were identified.
The President of the Committee and ELAM MP Linos Papagiannis, referred to the problem with the serious contagious diseases that have appeared in the community and added that regarding the economic aspect of health in migration, "we have exceeded in vaccines and tests €1 million in less than 12 months and if we add to this amount any emergencies either from Pournara or with the daily cases in hospitals, the sums are horrific."
DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias said that today the important issue emerged in relation to communicable diseases, such as AIDS, hepatitis B, C, syphilis and tuberculosis. Mr. Koulias said that many of the migrants work in food delivery services, and therefore the state should take care that those who work in this sector should have a health certificate.
In addition to the issue of communicable diseases that are transferred to the community, DHPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis made complaints that have been heard within the Committee on Immigrants in Cyprus. The most serious complaint he was carrying concerned a man, who was in a supermarket in the Area of Solia, allegedly showed his genitals to schoolgirls. Mr. Tryfonidis said that there is a very serious need at the Morphou police department for reinforcement to address all these issues with the Deputy Chief of Police committing to convey the message for immediate reinforcement.
CNA
