The Cyprus Confederation of Patients' Associations (OSAK) has reported serious difficulties in patients' access to clinical nutrition services, with understaffing at a public hospital causing delays even in the approval of specialised nutritional products.
The complaint concerns an elderly patient who is fed through a gastrostomy tube and requires regular renewal of approval for a specialised nutritional formula. A family member told OSAK that they had been trying for around 15 days to contact the relevant service without success.
According to the complaint, only one clinical dietitian is employed at the hospital and is responsible for submitting the necessary applications. The limited staffing has resulted in significant delays, raising concerns within the family that the patient's nutritional treatment could be disrupted.
The specialised nutritional product costs approximately €600 per month, according to the complaint, an amount that would be difficult for the family to cover if there were delays or interruptions in the approval process.
OSAK sent a letter to the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY), which responded that measures are already under way to strengthen the service.
These include filling vacant clinical dietitian posts and advancing additional recruitment procedures in anticipation of upcoming staff departures.
At the same time, a list of prospective clinical dietitians is being established to allow vacancies and staffing needs to be addressed more quickly in the future.
