Protest held after four-year-old suffers brain damage from meningitis

Limassol, Cyprus. Dozens of people demonstrated outside Limassol general hospital on Monday after a four-year-old boy suffered brain damage due to meningitis, with his family claiming the condition was not diagnosed in time.

The protest was organised by the family of the boy, identified as Marios, whose mother called for responsibility to be assigned.

Family’s account

Protesters held banners reading: “An angel was calling for help. Murderers. Why did you leave him without help?” and “Seven days in room 1. Seven days I was shouting and not heard”.

According to the family, Marios developed a fever on July 8. Over the following days, his parents remained in contact with the paediatrician, who prescribed medication and tests.

When his condition did not improve, he was taken to Limassol general hospital, where he was diagnosed with meningitis.

Transfer to Nicosia

As his health showed no sign of improvement, his parents insisted that he be transferred to Makarios hospital in Nicosia.

On July 14, while being transported to Makarios hospital, the boy appears to have become brain dead. He remains under treatment at the hospital.

Mother’s statement

Speaking to the press, Marios’ mother, Elen Christou, said she would continue fighting for answers.

“It is not acceptable that a child with meningitis suffers oedema and intussusception and is just given antipyretics, to be told on the 13th that everything is fine and on the 14th that my baby has died,” Christou said.