Nicosia, Cyprus. Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said on Wednesday the government will proceed with plans to establish a national ambulance agency, despite a request by Okypy to delay discussion of the bill.
Government insists on committee discussion
Charalambides said Okypy had asked for a three-week delay to prepare its own plan, but the bill remained on Thursday’s agenda of the House health committee. He said the government’s position had not changed and it would insist the bill be discussed.
Patients’ federation opposes delay
The federation of patients’ associations (Osak) said on Tuesday it opposed Okypy’s call for a delay at the House health committee. Osak said the ambulance service had been temporarily transferred to Okypy after the general health system (Gesy) was introduced, with a government commitment to set up a national ambulance agency within two years.
Osak said that nearly seven years later the ambulance service remained with Okypy. It said this excluded the private sector from transporting non-urgent patients within Gesy and required patients to pay the cost of the service themselves.
Osak said Okypy had six years to conduct studies and submit proposals but had not done so. The organisation called on the government to remain firm and urged the House health committee to proceed with discussion of the bill on Thursday.
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