Filenews 1 September 2025 - by Dora Christodoulou
The impressive increase in the population observed in Paphos during this summer period due to tourist traffic, makes it even more timely and urgent to adopt the proposal of the city's stakeholders for the establishment and operation of a Rapid Intervention Motorcycle Rescue Team of the Ambulance Service, which will contribute to the immediate and flexible medical response to emergencies.
This is emphasized by Paphos officials speaking to "F" on the occasion of recent incidents during which, due to heavy traffic in the tourist area and road regulations implemented, it has become difficult and time-consuming to approach ambulances immediately, which could have tragic consequences.
The issue was officially raised at the Paphos Municipal Council as early as July 2024, on the occasion of the situation on the coastal front of Kato Paphos with the pedestrian streets and the particularly increased number of visitors resulting in reduced accessibility for conventional ambulances.
As a continuation of this effort, a written letter was sent on August 5, 2024 to the Minister of Health, who showed interest in the issue from the very beginning. In February 2025, a second personal letter was sent to the Head of the Ambulance Service, as part of a continuous and targeted pressure on the competent bodies, in order to satisfy the request.
Referring to the issue, the Paphos Municipal Councillor, Antonis Christodoulou, points out that the full staffing of such a team will bring multiple benefits, such as immediate medical intervention in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest, injuries or fainting, the reduction of pressure on the existing ambulance network, especially during peak hours and in remote locations, as well as the improvement of the image of Paphos' tourism product, offering a sense of security to visitors.
The network of Rapid Intervention Rescue Machines has proven its worth in major cities and tourist centers in Cyprus and abroad and Paphos cannot be left behind, noted Antonis Christodoulou.
