Newsroom
A tragic incident has sparked widespread anger and calls for accountability after a 7-year-old child from Paphos died following a series of alleged mishandlings by the island's public healthcare system. The child, who had suffered from gastroenteritis five days prior, was taken to Paphos General Hospital but was transferred to Nicosia due to the lack of available beds and the hospital’s inability to handle the case. The transfer took over two hours, during which the child’s condition deteriorated, leading to their death early yesterday morning.
Phedon Phedonos, Mayor of Paphos, took to Facebook to express his grief and frustration, stating that the tragedy highlights the inadequacy of the public healthcare system. "Some people show no respect for the lives of young children," he wrote. "The responsibility lies heavily on those who have allowed the Paphos General Hospital to remain in such a tragic state of inadequacy."
The incident has ignited a firestorm of public criticism, with parents sharing their own harrowing experiences with the healthcare system. In comments on the mayor's post, one parent recounted their ordeal at Famagusta Hospital: “Yesterday, they did the same thing to my little one... A 3-year-old baby with vomiting, instead of keeping them, they sent us away. By the afternoon, their condition worsened... People live in chaos. Irresponsible and careless.”
Another parent described their experience of transferring their baby from Paphos to Limassol due to the same issue of bed shortages. "We were shouting to prevent the worst... Today, we are faced with the worst-case scenario—the loss of a human life, an innocent 6-year-old child," they wrote, criticizing the response of OKYPY (State Health Services Organization) officials, who reportedly downplayed the gravity of such incidents.
Adding to the outrage, another commenter accused the healthcare system of fostering an environment of arrogance and neglect among medical staff. They likened Paphos General Hospital to “Auschwitz,” stating that such comparisons reflect the desperation of those suffering under the system.
The incident has amplified long-standing concerns over the state of public hospitals in Cyprus, particularly in Paphos. Critics argue that chronic understaffing, insufficient facilities, and ineffective management have turned routine medical emergencies into life-threatening situations.
Meanwhile, public calls for systemic reform continue to grow louder, with many demanding that those responsible for the failings face consequences. As the nation mourns the loss of a young life, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for improvements in the healthcare system. For the grieving family and a community shaken by the incident, however, the question remains: Will this loss finally prompt the action needed to prevent such tragedies in the future?
