Rising operating costs, GHS compensations and a shortage of nursing staff are at the top of the problems faced by private hospitals, with the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN) and the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB) calling for interventions to ensure their financial viability.
The issues were raised during the annual general assembly of PASIN in Nicosia, with the representatives of private hospitals pointing out that their sustainable participation in the GHS presupposes adequate compensation and equal terms of operation and competition between health providers.
The president of OEB, Giorgos Pantelidis, directly raised the issue of compensations, underlining that they must respond to the increasing operating costs of hospitals. At the same time, he called for a fair and predictable operating framework, which ensures a level playing field.
The president of PASIN, Marios Karaiskakis, moved in the same direction, who, presenting the actions and interventions of the Association, highlighted the economic pressures faced by the private health sector.
According to the positions expressed, the financial viability of private hospitals is a basic condition for maintaining a strong private sector in the GHS and, by extension, for the effective service of patients.
Shortage of nurses limits growth
In addition to financial issues, particular emphasis was placed on the ongoing acute shortage of nursing staff.
As Mr. Karaiskakis mentioned, the shortages affect the daily operation of private hospitals and limit their growth potential.
PASIN calls for the immediate adoption of substantial and applicable measures by the State, in order to address today's needs, but also to strengthen the country's nursing potential in the long term.
The president of OEB also referred to the same issue, pointing out the initiatives of the Federation to deal with the shortage of nurses.
The presidents of the HIO and the Federation of Patients' Associations also addressed the assembly.
