The names and photos of well-known doctors in Cyprus, of various specialties, have been found in recent days on websites that advertise wellness, anti-aging, body-strengthening services and other related services.
In most cases, the same doctors do not even know about the exploitation of their name, while in some cases, doctors may work with specific centers and offer purely medical services on the basis of their specialty when the need arises, but their names are used, without their knowledge, and for unapproved methods, which, Some others offer in the same facilities.
After all, with what has been written and said in the last fortnight after the death of the popular singer Giorgos Mazonakis, the relevant reports both in the media and on the internet give and take, as, as it is found, citizens have engaged in an online "hunt" for illegal services by identifying websites and centers that advertise unapproved practices promising well-being, longevity and more.
Relevant complaints reached "F" last week and were brought before the Pancyprian Medical Association, while one of the doctors, whose name some seem to have exploited, was the president of the PIS himself, Petros Agathangelou.
The president of the PIS presented himself to the team of specialists of a center in which, among other things, intravenous treatments are offered for every case, even at home. From strengthening the immune system and body after a long day, to recovering after a wild party and drinking alcohol.
"As soon as I was informed about the use of my name, without my knowledge and of course without having any involvement, I initiated the appropriate legal procedures," Mr. Agathangelou told "F". Unfortunately, he said, "we cannot know who and when will take advantage of the name and specialty of a doctor or other serious professional to prevent such situations. As soon as this information reached me, I proceeded with everything necessary."
"My case is not, as it seems, the only one," he said and explained, "they are cases in which the doctor does not even know the center or what he offers and suddenly some people invoke him."
However, there are also cases "where colleagues may have collaborated or are working with some, offering real medical services, but these people in the same facilities also offer unapproved treatments and methods, but invoke the name of the doctor in their advertisements".
It is for this reason, said the president of PIS, "that we have said several times in recent days that colleagues must also be careful. Be careful who they work with and do their research before giving their permission to use their name."
On the other hand, of course, he added, "we as PIS will not spare anyone, if we find that one of our members knowingly cooperates or participates or provides unapproved treatments for non-medical purposes then penalties will definitely be imposed".
At the moment, he reminded, "as PIS we expect the Ministry of Health to proceed with its own recording and investigation of all the data on centers, licensed and unlicensed, in which such services are offered and then we will take our own responsibility".
Acupuncture and medical acupuncture
Unfortunately, said the president of the Pancyprian Medical Association, "there are also cases in which we observe that doctors are victimized in other ways as well".
For example, "we have medical acupuncture and we have acupuncture offered by some who are not doctors, many times when no one knows where and if they have received training. A few months ago, when a proposal for a law concerning acupuncture, non-medical and other matters, was submitted to the Parliament, as PIS, we came forward and prevented its passage."
"Lately we have heard about 'aesthetic medicine', 'rejuvenation medicine' and others. We cannot accept these things. There are no recognized such medical specialties. We hear about "quantum medicine". Let's not talk about "quantum medicine", let's talk about the use of "quantum methods", we need to start separating some things in order to say them correctly."
