Private hospitals in Cyprus are operating at a critical threshold due to severe nursing shortages, the head of the Cyprus Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN), Marios Karaiskakis, has warned.
Speaking on state radio, Karaiskakis said repeated meetings and assurances have not produced concrete solutions, cautioning that some facilities may be forced to suspend operations unless immediate measures are taken.
He called for more flexible nurse‑to‑patient ratios, faster licensing procedures for graduates trained in Cyprus, and temporary arrangements allowing the recruitment of nurses from third countries.
Karaiskakis also highlighted what he described as serious shortcomings in ambulance coordination, urging the creation of a unified and more agile system that would allow both public and private ambulances to be deployed in emergencies without bureaucratic delays.