Qualifications of doctors who joined the island’s Registry between 2004 and 2017 with medical degrees from third country universities are now under scrutiny by the Pancyprian Medical Association (PIS).
This is what House Health Committee members heard on Thursday following a number of complaints that doctors who do not have specialties provide such services to unsuspecting patients.
An example given was that of a doctor whose specialty title was revoked by the PIS after being convicted by a court but he continues to examine patients under a different “specialty”. Specifically, that of bloodless surgery.
As for the Police, from 2016 to date they have investigated 15 similar cases against doctors with nine of them currently before court.
Committee chairman Marinos Musioutta who raised the issue for debate said: “From 2004 to 2017 the relevant legislation was not abided. This provides that doctors presenting degrees from third countries should apply to KY.S.A.T.S. (Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Study Titles) in order to undergo an examination for parity”.
Because the law was not implemented, several dozens of doctors whose qualifications have not been recognized do have secured a license from the Cyprus Medical Council and from PIS, he also said.
Moushouttas added that 59 individuals with medical degrees from third countries sent their applications before KY.S.A.T.S. between 2004 and 2010.
And that they were all told that they had to sit for certain exams to have their titles recognized but none of them did.
Between 2010-2017, he said, another 46 individuals sent applications to KY.S.A.T.S. and all took the necessary exams and proceeded with the necessary legalities.
