The issue of unlicensed medical centers that provide treatments that may endanger citizens was discussed during the meeting of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, with the Pancyprian Medical Association (PIS).
The president of PIS, Petros Agathangelou, stated that the doctors themselves are asking for a tightening of the penalties, through a new amendment to the relevant legislation.
According to Mr. Agathangelou, the meeting discussed the moves that need to be made, with particular reference to alternative therapies and unlicensed centers that provide relevant services.
"We determine the moves that are needed. Especially alternative therapies and unlicensed centers that provide such services that can endanger the lives of citizens," he said.
The PIS, he added, intends to promote changes in the legislation aimed at tightening the penalties, as it considers that the existing penalties do not act as a deterrent.
As he said, the President of the Republic expressed for his part the willingness of the Government to proceed with the adoption of legislative measures to deal with the phenomenon.
The president of the PIS also stated that the strengthening of the supervisory mechanism is expected, so that the monitoring of the specific services is continuous and timely intervention is possible.
In relation to complaints that are officially under investigation, the Association expects information from the Ministry of Health.The information, according to him, concerns both the services allegedly offered by a specific center in the province of Larnaca, and a doctor who presented himself as its director.
For his part, the President of the Republic referred in general to the cooperation with the PIS, noting the importance that the Government attaches to the fields of Health and Education. "We need to strengthen our contacts a little more and institutionalize dialogue," said Nikos Christodoulides.
