Patient handcuffed at Nicosia hospital

A man has been detained at the Emergency Room for reportedly getting upset and hitting a cleaning lady after being asked to pay before seeing a doctor.

Local media said a male patient, described as a Romanian national, visited the ER at Nicosia General Hospital where he was asked to pay 10 euro as admission fee.

The man got upset according to a report and started cursing at hospital staff. Then he struck a cleaning lady who was randomly standing there and she fell to the ground, injuring her arm and shoulder.

Police did not confirm the incident with Knews, saying they did not issue such a report. But local media said a man went ballistic and police officers had to handcuff him following the commotion.

Unless a medical card is presented at the time of admission or if a patient is otherwise exempted from paying the fee, ER patients are asked to pay €10 regardless of the services they will receive.

It was not clear whether hospital staff offered to bill the patient or flatly refused to let him see a doctor before remittance. Reports said the man appeared to be drunk during the incident.