Doctors’ union in new spat with health minister

State doctors’ union Pasyki accused the Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Wednesday of ‘deploying fireworks’ to divert attention away from the ministry’s plan to hire a university professor rather than a government doctor to head the expected neurological clinic.

Earlier this week, Pasyki delivered Ioannou with an ultimatum, allowing the minister until December 10 to rethink his decision to fill the position of director of the neurological clinic with the University of Cyprus (UCY) professor of neurology, Giorgos Hadjigeorgiou, rather than with a public sector neurologist.

The union threatened escalating measures if the ultimatum is not met, as well as legal action against the state.

Ioannou responded on Tuesday, citing a lack of interest for state neurologist positions despite the ministry’s efforts, rendering it “irresponsible to not make use of the interest shown by UCY to provide the services of distinguished academics”.

The minister added that ever since the decision was taken two months ago to create the neurological clinic, all other parties involved, including the Cyprus Medical Association, UCY, and two other state doctors’ unions were content with the final proposal.

Pasyki fired back on Wednesday, claiming that “the health ministry is once again by-passing our questions and deploying fireworks to divert the discussion.”

Pasyki asked the minister to point out which laws, regulations and agreements his actions are based on. According to the union, the availability of a neurologist at the assistant director level at the Nicosia general hospital violate a past agreement between Pasyki, UCY’s medical school and the Ministry of Health.

“The creation of a neurological clinic is expected to attract neurologists and will receive our support,” Pasyki said, “given that proper and lawful procedures are adhered to, which are unfortunately currently being violated.”

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