The Accident and Emergency Department for Children at Nicosia General Hospital saw a surge in patients during Holy Week, with hundreds of children treated for infections and minor injuries.
Medical staff treated 402 children from Holy Wednesday to Easter Wednesday morning, with a peak of 79 on Holy Saturday alone.
This compares to a daily average of 35 cases during weekdays and 40-45 on weekends throughout the year (data to April 30, 2024).
According to the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), the most common cases were infections such as pneumonia and gastroenteritis. Some children required further hospitalisation at Makarios Hospital. There was also an increase in minor injuries due to accidents.
The dedicated pediatric A&E department opened in February 2023 and has treated nearly 10,000 children in its first year.
Staffed by nine doctors and equipped with five beds, the department expects to add another paediatrician this month.
