Desperation grips parents of children with rheumatic diseases.
The only paediatric rheumatologist working at the Makarios Hospital is retiring, leaving approximately 200 children with rheumatic conditions in Cyprus essentially without care.
In the private sector and within the GHS (General Health System), there is only one other doctor with this particular specialisation, but she already has a full schedule as she also serves adult patients.
“The Organisation of State Health Services knew for months that the paediatric rheumatologist at Makarios Hospital would retire, today is her last day, and unfortunately, they haven’t made provisions for her timely replacement,” said Andri Foka, president of the Cyprus Rheumatism Association, to Phileleftheros, adding that “at this moment, the children will be left without a doctor, and sadly, no one is taking responsibility.”
Foka further stated that the association had met with the Minister of Health, Michalis Damianos.
“We will give the Minister some time to take action. However, if we don’t see efforts to replace the doctor, we won’t rule out mobilising protests.”
“It must be understood that the fact that there is another private doctor who also treats children does not solve our problem. This doctor also has her adult patients. Moreover, it needs to be understood that it’s different for children to be treated at Makarios Hospital, where parents have all the necessary facilities and so on. There are special cases that require special care,” emphasised the president of the Cyprus Rheumatism Association.
Meanwhile, the issue has been highlighted for some time by parents of children with rheumatic diseases, who have been sending letters to both the Ministry of Health and the SHSO (State Health Services Organisation), as well as to the Patient Rights Observatory of the Federation of Patient Associations of Cyprus.
A notable letter was sent last week to Health Minister Michael Damianos by a mother of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
“I am writing this letter to express my deep sorrow and disappointment regarding the retirement and non-replacement of the paediatric rheumatologist at Makarios Hospital.
As a mother whose 8-year-old child was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and has been under the care of this doctor at Makarios Hospital, I express once again my grief and great uncertainty as a parent, as my child will be left without the supervision of his doctor for an unspecified period.”
Addressing the Health Minister, the mother continued in her letter: “I don’t know what you know about this particular condition, but I want to inform you that my child is on medication that requires supervision both from me as a parent and subsequently from an experienced doctor. Some of these medications have side effects, Mr Damianos, for which you need to consult the child’s doctor immediately because, as you will understand, we are not doctors. And please tell me, if, and I hope not, any side effects occur due to the medication, who will I contact since my child no longer has a doctor to examine him?”
According to Phileleftheros, the Health Minister has prepared a letter sent yesterday to SHSO, requesting information and announcing a position announcement for the recruitment of a paediatric rheumatologist.
From SHSO’s side, as we are informed, there is an intention to announce the position next week; however, there are not high expectations for finding a doctor.
