The Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into the services offered by Hadassah Medical Centre in Limassol following allegations highlighted in a Politis report concerning medical consultations provided via teleconference.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the ministry's Deputy Director-General, Ms Constantinou, confirmed that officials are examining whether services promoted by the centre may breach the legal framework under which it operates.
Licensed as an imaging centre
According to the ministry, Hadassah Medical Centre recently applied for and obtained a licence to operate as an imaging centre, with approval granted approximately one month ago following multiple inspections by ministry officials.
However, the centre's website advertises a significantly broader range of services.
In addition to diagnostic procedures, the published list includes:
- Preventive medicine services
- Medical consultations
- Nutritional counselling
- Medical microneedling
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Rehabilitation and recovery services
The centre also advertises six medical specialties in Limassol:
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiology
- General medicine
- General surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Clinical nutrition
Access to specialists in Jerusalem
According to information published by the centre, patients in Cyprus can obtain specialist consultations and second opinions from senior physicians, professors and department heads based at Hadassah Hospitals in Jerusalem.
The centre states that these services are available across the range of specialties listed on its platform.
Examination of legal framework underway
Constantinou said the ministry is currently reviewing the legislation governing the operation of the facility to determine whether the services being offered comply with the terms of its licence.
She stressed that all procedures provided for under the law are being followed and that the matter is under full investigation.
Medical authorities may become involved
Asked whether the Cyprus Medical Council and the Cyprus Medical Association would participate in the investigation, particularly in relation to the possible unlawful practice of medicine in Cyprus by unauthorised individuals, Constantinoiu said both bodies could become involved at a later stage depending on the findings of the ministry's inquiry.
The investigation follows questions raised over whether medical opinions delivered remotely from Israel can legally be offered through a facility licensed in Cyprus solely as an imaging centre.
Source: CNA
