Behind every patient treated with COVID, there is a family that is worried and does not want to lose its own person, said today the Minister of Health, Mr. Michalis Hadjipandela, during his visit to the University Campus, where a free vaccination center was operated for them. students and staff of the University of Cyprus. The Minister was accompanied by the Rector of the University Professor Tassos Christofidis and the General Director of the Ministry of Health Dr. Christina Giannaki.
Speaking to the media during his visit, Mr. Hadjipandella referred to the encouraging fact that several young students are being vaccinated.
In view of the new academic year, the Minister of Health pointed out that, in consultation with the Rector of the University, the best possible way will be found as soon as possible to carry out the academic year with the physical presence of students and academics.
Asked if any thoughts are already being made about the safe start of courses at both Universities and other levels of education, the Minister did not want to announce anything at this time, as it will be discussed in detail with the Rector of the University and then inform both the Ministry of Education and the Council of Ministers.
Then, when asked to comment on the worrying situation prevailing in state hospitals with the increased hospitalization in the Intensive Care Units and the elderly, Mr. Hadjipandella noted that "yes we have a problem in the Intensive Care Unit, but I would like to highlight a problem that exists. At the moment there is a person in the Intensive Care Unit, 46 years old with four minor children. There is a 42-year-old person in the Intensive Care Unit with two children. There is a 40-year-old person in the Intensive Care Unit with two children. These people are in the Intensive Care Unit and they are fighting. At the same time that patients are struggling, there is behind them the family that worries and communicates with us and asks us to do what we can to not lose their own people. "They have children, they have parents, brothers."
Certainly, everything possible is done in our hospitals, Mr. Hadjipandela underlined, but stressed that "in order not to reach this situation, there is a way and that is proven: vaccination. And it's the way these young people are trusted here and vaccinated. If these compatriots gave us the vaccine we would not have this problem. And that is what their relatives are saying right now. "
There is an issue with the Intensive Care Units, underlined the Minister of Health, and for this purpose "the Intensive Care Unit 3 will be opened in the General Hospital of Nicosia, so that we can help these compatriots. But at the same time we must all understand that there is no innumerable number of Intensive Care beds. At the same time there are other compatriots who have other health problems, such as cancer patients and heart patients, who may need these intensive care services. And we can not exclude these compatriots when others need them because they have not been vaccinated. We will serve them all, but at the same time I want to send the message that there are countless Intensive Care Units. We all need to be vaccinated, so that we do not fill the ICUs and can not cope ".
He said that the new ICU that will operate will have 10 beds, while noting that there is a plan to develop another 12 beds if needed. "I repeat that there is only one way so that we do not need new beds: to be vaccinated as soon as possible. "Efforts are being made to open it today or tomorrow," said the Minister of Health.
Commenting on a letter sent to the Director General of the Ministry of Labor regarding the management of patients living in nursing homes, the Director General of the Ministry of Health said that in a meeting held the previous days under the Minister of Health and with the participation of OAY and OKYPY, the issue of nursing homes. "With the slightest thing that happens to an elderly person, they load him in the ambulance and send him to the hospital in either Nicosia or Limassol. I raised this issue, I said my suggestion which was accepted by the Minister and the OAY and I sent a letter, in which we say that the Personal Doctors should come to the nursing homes, since they are contracted with these roofs, to examine the elderly and if and if they judge, to write a medical report and if the condition of the elderly is quite aggravated, then we will be able to take him to the hospital. "Not with the flea leap to put the elderly and send them to the First Aid", said Dr. Giannaki.
Regarding the referrals of patients to private hospitals, Ms. Giannaki said that so far this morning 236 cases have been referred. At the moment, around 93 patients are left in private hospitals. About 28 non-COVID patients have been referred to the ICU. He stated that this morning a 26-year-old woman with a very serious health problem was transported by air-ambulance to a medical center in Germany, while yesterday another incident was transferred. He said that many actions are being taken to help all patients, and the Ministry is helping OKYPY to the maximum extent.
Until yesterday, 12,944 vaccinations were given in the free attendance centers, while for today they are planned (1η and 2η dose) 6,200 vaccinations at Vaccination Centers across Cyprus. Until yesterday, 981 children aged 12-15 were vaccinated.
Asked if she thinks the Health System will last until the wall of immunity is built, the Director General expressed confidence that this will be possible, given the great effort made.
On his part, the Rector of the University of Cyprus Professor Tassos Christofidis thanked the Minister of Health and the General Director for their support in the operation of the walk-in center at the University. As he mentioned, after a decision of the Senate, the study in the new academic year will be done with a physical presence. "In order for this to happen without many problems, it is necessary for our people, our community to be vaccinated. It is in this context that the walk-in at the University worked today and I urge everyone to be vaccinated, to trust science. Let's listen to the numbers. "When 90% or more of the patients are unvaccinated, I do not need any other proof for the effectiveness of the vaccination", underlined Professor Christofidis. Our freedom, he added, is important, but without health there is no freedom.
Finally, Mr. Christofides, in a relevant question, pointed out that based on the decision of the Senate, the presentation of SafePass by everyone is mandatory at the beginning of the new academic year.