Patients suffer and their families are "torn apart" for a long time. Either both parents are forced to travel abroad, when one of them needs an allogeneic transplant and the other accompanies him and the children are obliged to be left alone with their grandparents or other relatives, or one of the two parents accompanies the child abroad for a transplant and the rest of the family is left behind.
At the same time, the HIO pays for sending the patient abroad, with all that this entails, and the Ministry of Health pays for the expenses of his companion.
With the data of Cyprus, at the moment, patients, most of them people with leukaemia who need an allogeneic transplant, can be served in Cyprus and have their family by their side, the HIO can pay compensation to Cypriot hospitals, without the need for a whole process for sending abroad and the Ministry of Health may not pay anything since the patient does not need an escort.
"Simply put, we have a law, we have trained doctors, we have a clinic ready to serve our patients, but we choose to continue to inconvenience entire families and pay for missions abroad and escort costs, because we do not promote the necessary procedures," explained the honorary president of the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations, Marios Kouloumas, speaking to "F".
The anxiety of the patients and their families, said Mr. Kouloumas, "reaches us and we certainly cannot remain apathetic. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is not a "luxury" of modern medicine and concerns patients with leukaemia, lymphomas, aplastic anaemia and other serious haematological diseases. Most importantly: It is the only hope for survival and quality of life."
Despite the passage of the relevant legislative framework by the Parliament last March, "despite the existence of specialized staff and ready infrastructure, patients continue to be forced to travel abroad to receive this treatment".
This is because, on the part of the Ministry of Health, the relevant licenses have not yet been granted to the hospital that has the necessary infrastructure and staffing.
"We can only wonder about the reasons why there is this delay," said Mr. Kouloumas:
>> "What bureaucratic or administrative obstacles are delaying the process?
>> How much longer will patients wait?
>> How many families should continue to suffer unfairly?
>> Until when will the HIO pay for sending abroad and the Ministry of Health for escort expenses?"
"To put it more simply," he said, "behind every referral abroad there is a man who is fighting for his life. There are families who temporarily leave their homes, parents who separate their children, workers who lose their jobs or are financially and psychologically burdened." In addition, "the state continues to spend significant amounts on patient shipments abroad and at the same time maintains inactive capacities within Cyprus".
"The State owes clear answers because in health issues, delay is often equivalent to a loss of treatment opportunities," stressed Mr. Kouloumas, noting that "patients with serious haematological diseases do not have the luxury of time. Any postponement can worsen their health condition and affect the prognosis. The development of allogeneic transplantation services in Cyprus is not just about medical progress. It is about equality of access to treatment, the dignity of patients and the right to receive care close to their loved ones. Every day of delay means more inconvenience for patients and families who are already being tested enough. And this cannot continue."
Some time has already passed, "and let us remind you that the start of allogeneic transplants in Cyprus was delayed for about two years because we did not have a law and after the law was passed, it is still delayed because the licensing process was not promoted," he said.
Perhaps, he said, "we should say that political will and determination are needed on this issue as well. Perhaps the Minister or the President of the Republic himself should intervene in order to promote the procedures. It is not enough to have laws on paper. There is a need for immediate activation of procedures, support for services in Cyprus, certification where required, and a clear timetable for implementation. Cyprus has the scientific potential and the capabilities to offer allogeneic transplants within the country. What is missing now is not knowledge or infrastructure. It is determination", concluded the honorary president of OSAK.
