DOCTORS’ demands for extra pay and first class seats delayed the transfer of a 22 year-old heart patient to Athens for a heart transplant, Health Minister Dina Akkelidou charged yesterday.
Speaking to CyBC radio yesterday, Akkelidou rejected press reports that bureaucracy and legal issues had caused repeated delays in transporting Stelios Kyprianou to Athens for a heart transplant.
“It’s not bureaucracy to blame,” she said. “The (Health) Ministry had approved his transfer abroad and his medical escort to the Onasio Transplant Centre.
“The problem arose when the two doctors refused to escort him for a number of reasons.
“One problem would be solved and another would arise. Some of the reasons, not all, had a foundation,” she added.
The minister gave examples of some of the requests.
“They argued an extra payment should be given because it was an extra responsibility to escort him and should be recognised as such by payment higher than that given out today.
“Other issues were whether the doctor would escort the patient in the ambulance from the airport to Onasio, and whether the doctors would sit with the patient in first class,” she said.”
Asked if it was necessary to sit in first class, the minister replied tersely: “The doctor considered it necessary”.
Akkelidou insisted that the ministry was not to blame for the delay in sending Kyprianou over for critical treatment, hinting instead that the doctors had created the fuss and delay.
“The concern of the ministry in the last few days was to get an appointment at the centre and get him over there as soon as possible. Everything else comes after that,” said Akkelidou.
The minister was compelled to respond to media reports that blamed bureaucratic and legal setbacks for the delay in transporting the patient to Athens for the desperately needed transplant.
According to reports, two trips to Athens were cancelled for various reasons. On the first trip, there was no oxygen on the plane, and the second time round doctors had reportedly argued over who should escort the patient from the airport to the transplant centre. Doctors also disagreed with the ministry over seating arrangements on the plane, arguing for first class seats because it would be easier to administer first aid in the case of health complications during the flight.
According to state radio the patient will be transferred to Athens this morning. All arrangements have been made for a medical escort and his safe transport to Athens.
