The management of Mediterranean Hospital in Limassol filed a police complaint on Friday against Limassol Municipality and Mayor Giannis Armeftis personally, alleging unlawful entry onto hospital premises during an inspection visit carried out by a municipal team that morning.
The complaint centres on the municipal team's entry into the hospital's car park area. The team, which included the mayor, a municipal councillor and municipal officials, visited the site in response to longstanding complaints from residents about conditions around the hospital. Mediterranean Hospital also alleges that a neighbour accompanied the group.
A hospital representative confronted the team during the visit and a minor altercation occurred. The hospital told Politis it did not wish to comment further, stating that the complaint was filed for its own protection and that it did not want to escalate the matter.
What the inspection found
According to information obtained by Politis, the municipal team found serious traffic violations on and around the hospital grounds, including occupation of pavements, non-compliance with one-way street rules, illegal parking and restricted access to the hospital's licensed parking spaces. Beyond the traffic issues, the team also reportedly encountered a range of other concerns including general untidiness, uncut vegetation, bulky materials stored in exterior spaces affecting the surrounding neighbourhood, and extensive use of makeshift structures in car park areas that appear to be used as offices and storage spaces. Issues relating to ambulance operations and parking were also identified.
Limassol Municipality has robustly defended the inspection, stating that no unlawful act took place and that the visit was carried out within the scope of municipal duties. The municipality noted that the areas inspected carry no signage prohibiting entry, including entry by municipal officials. It said the findings will be assessed by the relevant municipal departments, with instructions to be issued to the appropriate ministries, the Limassol Regional Organisation, the hospital management and others to ensure compliance with the law.
A longstanding dispute
Residents have complained for years about conditions around the hospital, with issues including traffic congestion, illegal parking, hygiene and public nuisance reaching the level of parliamentary debate. Both municipal traffic officers and the traffic police have conducted enforcement campaigns in the area on several occasions. Most recently, the hospital's management was invited before Limassol Municipal Council, where both sides discussed the outstanding issues and agreed to cooperate on solutions. The hospital's application for the construction of a new wing was also examined in that context.
