A BRITISH cancer sufferer who appeared to fall between the cracks when it came to treatment in Cyprus may qualify after all for medical help despite being initially turned away.
Richard, 55, who has lung cancer and a brain tumour was initially turned away as not qualifying for free cancer care at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre because he was told he did not qualify for a medical card.
He had no private insurance and didn’t qualify for an EU medical card from the UK.
However Health Minister Christos Patsalides referred the case to an official at his Ministry who was knowledgeable about the rights of EU nationals in Cyprus. It appears now that Richard may after all qualify for free cancer care.
According to another expat, Bob Cracknell, who had been trying to help Richard establish his rights, Ministry official Andreas Kyriakides took it on himself to check with the Labour Ministry to see if Richard had paid social insurance.
He established that Richard had paid into the system and will probably qualify for a card, Cracknell said. He said Kyriakides could not have been more helpful and had spent two days on the case.
Richard was due to begin a new round of chemotherapy yesterday, and Cracknell said there was more good news for the British expat when his employers, Thomas Cook decided that even though Richard has had to stop working, they would pay his salary until October.
“This might help pay for a carer when Richard’s daughter leaves,” said Cracknell.
When Cracknell initially went to health officials on Richard’s behalf he was told Richard did not qualify for free cancer care because he was a “foreigner”.
In the intervening time when Richard was being treated, it resulted in a bill of €10,000 from the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, money Richard’s family does not have.
The two month saga was a direct result of the fact that no one at lower levels in the health sector were able to clearly state what his rights as an EU citizens were.
On Wednesday Kyriakides urged all EU nationals from other member states to make sure their residency and work status in Cyprus is properly established to avoid mix ups over medical treatment down the line.
