Healthcare professionals in Cyprus raise concerns over nursing staff and political use of services

Healthcare professionals and political representatives in Cyprus are raising concerns regarding nursing staff management and the politicization of health services.

Republican Turkish Party MP Filiz Besim has criticized plans by the Ministry of Health to transfer experienced nurses from critical units at Nicosia State Hospital to newly opened facilities. Besim warned that replacing seasoned staff with inexperienced personnel who have not completed full training could jeopardize patient safety and place undue pressure on healthcare workers. She emphasized that while expanding healthcare access is a right, it should not occur at the expense of weakening existing critical services.

Separately, Ali Özgöçmen, President of the Cyprus Turkish Nurses and Midwives Association, addressed the use of home healthcare services by municipal leaders during election periods. Özgöçmen argued that nursing services should not be used as political tools for campaigning. He called for greater focus on the social and economic rights of nurses, questioning whether municipal leaders have taken concrete steps to improve working conditions and resolve staffing issues under the Municipal Personnel Law.