Streptococcus A: 'Too risky to move child'

The Ministry of Health is on standby to provide any necessary service in relation to the 4-year-old girl, who is being treated intubated in the Intensive Care Unit of Makarios Hospital, as she suffers from Streptococcus A, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Christina Giannaki, said on Tuesday.

In her remarks, on the sidelines of her visit to food retail outlets to ascertain the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls carried out by the Ministry of Health to ensure the safety and quality of food products in view of the holiday season, Dr. Giannaki said that an infectious disease specialist - pediatric intensivist, who had been invited from Israel, had arrived in Cyprus to monitor and assess the condition of the 4-year-old girl.

According to the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, until late Monday night, she was in contact with the specialists for the transfer of the girl by air ambulance abroad.

However, she noted that the pediatric intensivist who attended to the little girl told her that it would be "too risky" to transport the child by air ambulance.

"If we had to transport the child we would have done it. But, unfortunately, according to the pediatrician, she cannot be taken abroad," Giannaki noted.

She assured that the Ministry of Health “will do its utmost for any sick person who is going through difficult times. I am on standby so that we can offer our services".

Responding to a question, Dr. Giannaki said that "the little girl's health condition so far is too critical," expressing hope that the little girl’s condition will soon improve.

It is noted that the pediatric intensivist left for Israel at 23:00 on Monday.