Family’s account highlights gaps in Cyprus palliative care as state targets comprehensive system by 2030

Nicosia, Cyprus. Mariyana Rakova says her mother was denied dignified end-of-life care in a state hospital before dying earlier this year, highlighting gaps in palliative care provision. Cyprus has pledged to establish a comprehensive state system covering everyone in need by 2030.

A family’s account

Rakova’s mother, Rayna Christodoulou, died aged 71 from what her daughter described as a “rare and fatal” neurological illness. Rakova said her mother’s stay in a state hospital was distressing and lacked dignified end-of-life care.

Rakova, a health professional who lives abroad, said she had struggled to secure a proper diagnosis, comfort and dignity for her mother. Christodoulou had lived in Cyprus for 30 years and held Cypriot citizenship.

Rakova accused the system of depriving her mother of basic rights to care and dignity, denying her access to information and preventing her from helping. She said it had turned the meaningful final moments she could have shared with her mother into a horrific and traumatic experience.

Limited access to specialist care

People currently needing palliative care face a patchwork of centres providing treatment and services, with waiting lists for access. The centres are all privately operated or run by non-governmental organisations and primarily serve cancer patients. Christodoulou did not have cancer.

Families who secured places for cancer patients at one of the three existing centres have reported that they could not have hoped for better care. A fourth centre was inaugurated a few days ago.

Other families, relying mostly on state hospital care, have described conditions as inhumane and the treatment of patients and relatives as deplorable. Many people requiring palliative care are either not receiving it or receiving care described as severely inadequate.

State plan and legislation

The health ministry said developing a comprehensive system would take time, although the national action plan for palliative care has been announced. The 2030 deadline does not address the immediate needs of people who are already terminally ill.

Cyprus aims to provide support for patients and their families from the diagnosis of a serious, chronic, progressive and life-threatening disease through to death and bereavement, in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines.

Legislation passed unanimously earlier this year regulates the operation, licensing and oversight of palliative care centres. It sets requirements for establishing and operating facilities, specifies healthcare standards and strengthens patient rights.