Hospital visits by Turkish Cypriots down by over 50 per cent

By George Psyllides

Turkish Cypriot visits to state hospitals fell an average 54 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2014, Health Minister Philippos Patsalis said on Wednesday, and there was no increased flow in recent days.

He was commenting on a report on Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halkin Sesi, which claimed that hundreds of Turkish Cypriots were visiting state hospitals in the government-controlled areas.

The minister said Turkish Cypriot visits to all state hospitals have dropped between 50 per cent and 60 per cent because of the introduction of new criteria from August 1, 2013.

They stipulate that Cypriot and EU citizens who permanently reside in Cyprus are eligible to apply for a health card entitling them to subsidised state health care only if they have paid in at least three years’ social insurance (contributions do not have to be continuous), and have complied with all their tax obligations.

The criteria came into force along with a series of other charges that affect everyone.

All beneficiaries of state subsidised health care need to pay €3 to see a general practitioner, €6 to see a specialist doctor and €10 for using the state hospitals’ oversubscribed accident and emergency department.

Payments are on the spot and a receipt must always be issued.

Certain groups, including those who receive state benefits will continue being able to use accident and emergency departments free of charge on display of official identification.

People need to pay a nominal fee of 50 cents for drug prescriptions and lab tests.

Stamps for lab tests and prescriptions are available in state hospitals and postal offices and may be bought in advance.

Non-beneficiaries may also use state hospitals, paying €15 to visit general practitioners and €30 to see specialist doctors.

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