The next few days are very difficult for the health system, with the admissions to the hospitals increasing rapidly, while a special plan for the operation of new wards comes into force. COVID 19 to decongest the situation, said to KYPE, the Spokesperson of the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) Charalambos Charilaou.
"The situation is worrying. We see that the number is increasing day by day, the imports are more than the discharges, there is still no balance between the number of imports and the discharges so the next days will be very difficult. "In combination with the fact that there is an increased occupancy in hospitals of patients with other diseases, we have started the process of referring patients to the private sector", said Mr. Charilaou.
There is a rapid increase in the number of patients admitted to OKYPY hospitals, yesterday we reached 231 patients, 23 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit, while in the coming days according to the percentage of positiveness in the community, it is expected that the number will increase.
"In order to deal with the situation and according to the plan we have, since last night another ward was developed at the Limassol General Hospital to meet the growing needs and in case of need other wards will be opened in the other hospitals so that "We can respond adequately and offer the proper medical care where and when needed," he said.
At the Limassol General Hospital, he continued, another clinic was operated for short-term treatment so that we can deal with the situation and our effort in consultation with the Health Insurance Organization is for the incidents, which are at home, to be managed as provided. and from the relevant protocol, from the personal doctors and to us to come only those cases that need clinical evaluation.
We hope, said Mr. Charilaou, that in the coming days the private sector will be able to accept more cases in order to decongest the hospitals and save beds and staff.
Let's say, he continued, that from the beginning of the pandemic until July 8, 2021, a total of 4,022 patients have been hospitalized in the hospitals of OKYPY, of which 402 in an Intensive Care Unit.
Referral of patients to private hospitals
As had been agreed in a meeting between OKYPY and the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN), the referral of patients from OKYPY hospitals to private hospitals began. The aim is to decongest the hospitals from the rest of the cases, in order to provide more beds and staff for the care of patients with COVID-19.
It is an effort, said Mr. Charilaou, which has now begun, a small number have been referred specifically from Limassol to private hospitals to enable the operation of the new ward at the Limassol General Hospital, but this effort must be continuous. .
"There must be beds available in the private sector, based on the decree of the Minister of Health, both in wards and beds, Intensive Care Units for there to be substantial decongestion," he explained.
When asked, he noted that there is a response from private hospitals but "what we are asking at the moment is to provide a number of beds for pathological cases and cases that need treatment in Intensive Care Units so that there is substantial decongestion."
Providing incentives to doctors and nurses
The second big difficulty we are facing at the moment, said Mr. Charilaou, is that part of our staff is on summer leave.
"Because they have been working continuously for the last two years, we have not discussed revoking licenses or suspending licenses. We have discussed a specific compensation plan to fill any gaps that arise. This special plan will be discussed tomorrow at the Board of Directors of the Organization and we hope that it will be implemented in the coming days ", he added.
The situation in the TAEP is difficult
Mr. Charilaou said that the problem that arises in the Departments of Accidents and Emergencies (TAEP) is the same that exists in the short-term clinics.
"There is a phenomenon of personal doctors being absent on leave, not responding to their patients' calls, with the result that patients resort to either short-term clinics if there are suspicious or positive cases for clinical examination. If it is for another condition, they turn to the Accident and Emergency Departments, where a huge congestion is created and a very bad image appears in the Organization, although it is not its fault, that this thing is happening. "What we are saying is that every body and stakeholder should take on the role assigned to them by the State so that the health system works for the benefit of the patient himself," he added.
He noted that OKYPY urged the Health Insurance Organization (OAY) to assist so that personal physicians respond to citizens' calls and guide them properly so as not to go directly to the TAEP.