The discussion of the SHSO budget in the parliamentary committee on Health continued yesterday in high tones, with Efthymios Diplaros (DISY) and George Loucaides (AKEL) once again turning their fire against the management and administration of the Organization and expressing disappointment for the work that has been produced so far in public hospitals.

On the  part of DISY, there is an intention to table six different amendments to the budget, which means that the issue will be discussed intensely in the Plenary of the Parliament. However, Efthymios Diplaros and George Loucaides also responded yesterday to their demand for the resignation of the Board of Directors of the Organization to get the answer that "there is no question of anyone resigning" since the implementation of an action plan aimed at upgrading and autonomy of hospitals and the SHSO is currently underway.

"The biggest expense, which is a burden for the Organization," the SHSO said in a written note to the Parliament's Health Committee, "is the payroll of civil servants and hourly paid staff seconded or transferred to the SHSO, with the organizational position they held, the salary they received and all the benefits they had, where, according to the relevant legislation, the Organization cannot make any of them surplus staff."

Civil servants, it said, "are evaluated by the Ministry of Health and promoted by the Public Service Commission."

«The payroll of civil servants and hourly paid staff constitutes approximately 70% of total operating expenses and every year shows a substantial increase due to the granting of ATA, surcharges, general increases and pension".

In the last five years, according to the Cyprus Public Health Organization, "there has been an increase of €137 million in the payroll with an increase of only 370 new positions".

A typical example "is the retirement of 550 civil servants where the reduction of the payroll was expected but due to the increases, the payroll increased by €40 million and another €30 million to recruit other staff."

The second biggest burden for the SHSO is, according to the relevant note, "the sick leave of civil servants which is paid in full by the Organization, in contrast to employees who have a contract with the SHSO and after the 12th day, 75% is paid by social insurance".

"The large number of sick leave obliges the Agency to pay a very high amount for overtime."

The third biggest burden is the large proportion of employees working under the status of "light work": "About 10% of civil servants and hourly paid staff are on light duty tasks, making the work of the Agency even more difficult".

A typical example "is that 22% of the hourly paid staff at Paphos General Hospital and 15% at Limassol General Hospital are on light duty duties".

In fact, as it is reported, the SHSO does not have the right to easily replace this staff since "an agreement is being implemented between the Ministry of Finance and the trade unions according to which all hourly paid staff who worked (before SHSO) in public hospitals and health centers were transferred with their organic positions and benefits to the SHSO without the right to reduce any position".  "Because there are several issues with hourly paid staff, the Agency has proceeded with the elaboration of a voluntary redundancy plan which is included in the action plan and is being discussed with the Ministry of Finance and the workers' unions."

He retired in April 2024 and was paid until last month

Strengthening his attack against the SHSO Efthymios Diplaros proceeded to specific complaints. He referred to a doctor who retired from the state in April 2024 but continued to receive a salary and benefits until February 2025. Mr. Diplaros said that this doctor received the total amount of €65,000 because "some people had not registered his retirement".

SHSO Executive Director Kypros Stavrides confirmed this, explaining that "this doctor's case was identified during the check-up that has been done. This is an isolated incident, we have initiated all necessary procedures in order to return the money to the Agency."

"You are unreliable, you will close the hospitals"

The SHSO was attacked yesterday by AKEL's parliamentary spokesman, George Loucaides, who on several occasions during the extraordinary meeting of the Parliament's Health Committee, turned his fire on the representatives of the Organization, recalling what had happened a few months ago when public doctors asked for additional funds as a "financial incentive" for the services they offer within the framework of the GHS. Addressing the president and executive director of the organization, Mr. Loucaides asked them if they have "a mea culpa to say about the stance they took then." "So far we are not convinced of your intentions regarding the future of public hospitals," said AKEL's Parliamentary Spokesman and, among other things, warned the SHSO "to ensure that public doctors do not find themselves in the corner when the effort to create university clinics begins".

To what George Loucaides mentioned, added the President of the Committee who, among other things, indicated to the representatives of the Organization that with "with your actions you will close the hospitals and lead the entire economy of the state to adventures because of your deficits". "They called you unreliable and we disagreed with them. Unfortunately, it is confirmed to them," Diplaros told the president and executive director of the organization.

"We have recorded what you told us and I always respond with hard work to those who criticize me," said Executive Director Kypros Stavrides.

In statements after the meeting, Mr. Stavridis clarified that "the issue of the resignation of the SHSO Board of Directors does not arise and cannot be raised at this time". "We, the management and the administration, have before us an action plan which is being monitored very closely by the two co-competent Ministries of Finance and Health. This action plan aims, among other things, to lead us towards autonomy. That's where we're focused and will continue to be."