"We have a problem, Cyprus needs its own aircraft to transport patients abroad." The position of the general director of the Health Insurance Organization, Efi Kammitsi, in Parliament was clear: "Problems arise every day. Especially in incidents where human life is threatened, there is a problem because we have to locate an aircraft, come to Cyprus and then transfer the patient abroad. You remember the case where it was also discussed publicly with the patient who had to leave for a transplant."
Ms. Kammitsi was speaking to the parliamentary committee on Health and answering a relevant question from MPs. "The Republic of Cyprus needs its own aircraft for the air transport of patients abroad. To be staffed with trained staff and to undertake the transport of our patients," he said characteristically.
It is recalled that a few months ago, a patient who was on a waiting list for a transplant lost his opportunity to be transplanted due to the inability of the foreign companies with which the HIO cooperates (and the Ministry of Health previously cooperated), to respond within the medically defined schedules.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health held today its first meeting (with its new composition) with the Minister of Health Neophytos Charalambidis, who was accompanied in addition to the Deputy Director General of the Ministry, by the general directors of the HIO and the State Health Services Organization.
During the discussion, Neophytos Charalambidis was asked to answer dozens of questions raised by MPs and concerning both the General Health System and public hospitals and OKYPY.
