THE FATE OF UNIVERSITY CLINICS IN THE HANDS OF PARLIAMENT - Filenews 5/3 by Marilena Panayi
With disagreements between those involved, students of the Medical School of the University of Cyprus preparing for a protest and the positions of the parties not yet fully clarified, the parliamentary Health Committee is meeting today to put under its microscope the bill that provides for the operation of university clinics.
The debate, on the principle of the bill, had begun last November, and as expected was marked by disagreements between the parties involved, despite the fact that neither side was officially given the floor to take a position and present its positions.
A common feature of those involved in the debate last November is the implicit irritation, prejudice against the rest and the readiness, on the part of some, to clash in order to pass their own positions.
In fact, before the Committee, the possibility of building two more floors in the Nicosia General Hospital was even raised in order to distinguish hospital doctors from university doctors, as concerns were expressed, also on the part of MPs, about whether the two groups of doctors will be able to cooperate and communicate with each other.
The biggest disagreements on the bill are expressed by public doctors who put forward issues of hierarchy within hospitals and labour issues and refer to the possibility of creating multi-speed doctors.
The positions of the university representatives are somewhat milder, since although they state that the proposed bill does not fully satisfy them, they are ready to accept it and emphasize the need for the establishment of university clinics to meet the needs of the medical schools that have been operating for years in Cyprus.
The students of the medical school of the University of Cyprus are now entering the frame, who, as it became known in the previous days, are preparing to hold a protest event outside the Parliament next Thursday demanding the passage of the relevant legislation without further delay.
According to the organizers, the aim of the event is the immediate promotion of the legislative framework concerning the creation of university health structures, an issue that, as they claim, is directly linked to the quality of their education, the upgrading of clinical services and the overall strengthening of the public health system.
With the disagreements of course remaining, everything, as everything shows, will depend on the intentions of the parliamentary Health Committee and of course the parties as a change of attitude on the part of the MPs may lead to a new shipwreck.
It is worth mentioning that the Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambidis, will also be in Parliament today, who will have for the first time, officially, a meeting with the members of the Health Committee.
During the meeting last November, however, his predecessor Michalis Damianos had stressed the Government's determination to clash, if necessary, in order to achieve the passage of legislation for the operation of university clinics.
Ten-year story without end to this moment
In 2015–2016, the first real attempt to establish university clinics was recorded, even informally. The Ministry of Health has reached an administrative agreement with the University of Cyprus for the placement of university doctors in two public hospitals: Nicosia General Hospital and Makarios Hospital. However, the appearance of university doctors in hospitals caused a strong reaction from public doctors, who even proceeded to a spontaneous work stoppage.
Officially, the issue was transferred to the Parliament in 2022, specifically on November 24 when the parliamentary Health Committee discussed, in general, the need for the creation of university clinics.
In 2023, a new debate followed, at the level of Parliament. Specifically, in March of this year, the discussion was also linked to the wider reform of state hospitals, with disagreements between those involved being recorded once again.
In November 2023, the first draft bill was presented, to which objections were again expressed.
The Ministers who were at the helm of the Ministry of Health from time to time, each made their own effort to find solutions that would leave all sides satisfied, although in reality, the biggest objections are recorded over time by the unions of doctors in the public sector.
In 2024, a new effort was made and a new meeting was held which also resulted in disagreements.
The bill was finally completed by the Ministry of Health and ended up in Parliament where its debate began at the end of 2025. The continuation of the debate is expected to be written today in Parliament.
What does the bill provide?
Based on the bill, two main types of clinics will be able to operate in hospitals: "Connected" hospital clinics and university clinics. Affiliated clinics are regular hospital clinics that work with a Medical School so that they can accommodate students for their hands-on training.
For a clinic to qualify as "affiliated," it must be recognized by the School of Medicine and approved by the administration of the hospital or organization that manages it. Among the requirements are that the director of the clinic – or other doctors in the team – must have an academic title of associate clinical professor and the specialty of the clinic must be included in the curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine.
These clinics will continue to operate normally for patient care, while at the same time offering training to medical students and resident doctors. At the same time, they will be able to participate in research activities and continuing education programs. The head hospital doctor will be in charge of the clinic, while university doctors will be mainly involved in the planning and supervision of the educational and research work.
The bill also provides for the creation of university clinics within hospitals. These are clinics that have a more intense academic character and work closely with the Medical Schools. In order for such a clinic to be established, the specialty must be recognized by the Medical Council of Cyprus and the clinic must be staffed by university and hospital doctors.
The operation of university clinics will be evaluated by an international committee of experts to ensure the quality of education and services. These clinics will be part of the hospital and will operate under similar rules to the other clinics.
In addition, the bill provides that universities will be compensated for the clinical work offered by university doctors in hospitals, based on agreements with hospitals. Within the first year of implementation of the law, university clinics will be able to be created in basic specialties such as Pathology, Surgery, Psychiatry, Paediatrics and Neurology.
Finally, it is clarified that the new regulations do not affect the professional development of OKYPY's hospital doctors, as their evaluation and work structures remain based on the operation of the organization's clinics. The main objective of the bill is to strengthen cooperation between hospitals and universities, while improving the training of young doctors and the quality of health services.
