Intravenous vitamin cocktails, anti-aging treatments, and injectable interventions are included, among other things, among the activities advertised by wellness centers that are under investigation by the Ministry of Health.
Competent departments of the Ministry of Health, Police, Legal Service and the Pancyprian Medical Association, in full mobilization, in the context of the major investigation into the operation of wellness centers that advertise services of a medical nature, which are potentially dangerous for citizens.
The mapping, which was decided after what followed the death of the popular singer Giorgos Mazonakis in Greece, as we are informed, has yielded a double-digit number of centers and "clinics", while several of these structures have already been inspected.
In some cases, the Ministry of Health, after its own audits, turned to the Police, which has taken its part in the investigation.
A common feature of the centers they have recorded is the fact that they do not have a license to operate as private hospitals, even though they promote services of a medical nature, using at the same time in advertisements the terms that refer to medical and pharmaceutical interventions
In other words, these centers are not licensed as clinics or hospitals, according to the legislative framework governing the operation of private hospitals and the services they offer are not covered by any of the categories of health service structures defined by law.
The main question that is being examined is whether the services advertised and provided in these areas can legally be provided outside licensed hospitals and under what conditions.
According to the information of "F", the investigation of the activities of most of the centers that have been identified has already progressed to a significant extent.
The type of services they advertise has been recorded, while on-site inspections are carried out by the competent services of the Ministry of Health, depending on the scope of their activities.
The involvement of the Police, as we are informed, is not limited to the investigation of complaints but also participates in the process of identifying businesses, with the Cybercrime Department assisting, utilizing its know-how and capabilities, in the geographical location of structures whose physical headquarters are not clearly apparent from their advertising material.
Some declare themselves doctors
The advertising of medical services by unlicensed centers is one of the two elements of the investigation which require the involvement of the Pancyprian Medical Association in the whole effort.
Even more important and substantial, however, is the involvement of the PIS, in cases where these centers promote the presence of doctors, invoke medical supervision or use descriptions that create the impression of organized health structures.
In other words, the checks revolve, inter alia, on the professional status and qualifications of the service providers, their required training, the suitability of the facilities, and the equipment and methods used.
Cocktail of vitamins, anti-aging and... Stay up late
According to information from "F", the research and mapping of the Ministry of Health has recorded centers that appear to offer a particularly wide range of services.
A special place is held by intravenous infusions of vitamins, antioxidants and other substances, which are promoted with promises of boosting immunity, increasing energy, treating fatigue, improving concentration and mental clarity.
Other treatments concern the treatment of stress and burnout, sports rehabilitation, acceleration of metabolism, fat loss and improvement of the appearance of the skin.
There is no shortage of intravenous cocktails that promise recovery after a night out or drinking alcohol, while infusions are promoted with claims of cellular rejuvenation, anti-aging and longevity.
In the list of services offered and applications of various preparations and substances in injectable aesthetic and regenerative treatments.
It is recalled that the case of the center that has equipment for plasmapheresis and is already under the microscope of the competent authorities is already known.
The services come with price lists, as well as discounts. Intravenous treatments are advertised for €120 from €150 or €130 from €160, while the cost of some injectable aesthetic applications amounts to several hundred euros.
The process is complicated
The mapping has been completed, however the checks continue, with the competent authorities evaluating the evidence collected, while for the cases that have already been reported, further investigation by the Police is expected. As explained in "F", each case is treated in a different way, depending on the activities of each structure, the people who staff it and the services offered. Therefore, in any case, the audits are carried out by the Service or Department under whose competence the preliminary findings fall.
