NICOSIA – As Cyprus has the world’s highest number per capita of COVID-19 cases the state  doctors’ union PASYKO said it’s happening as the state health services organization OKYPY is deteriorating.

That came after the resignation of OKYPY former chief Christis Loizides, who has moved to a job in the private sector, adding to the doctors worry about what the union said is the failure of the state health sector model.

“In particular, the image that public hospitals are giving is not one that inspires trust and confidence,” the union statement added, said The Cyprus Mail.

“The problematic composition of the organization’s Board of Directors, the disputes between central regional directorates in relation to their responsibilities of each, the distance between OKYPY and the Health Ministry and the ignorance on matters pertaining to public health have created serious damage to public hospitals,” it said.

The union said it was concerned about the state health agency repeatedly changing leadership, including the top chair and members of the board over the years, adding to a lack of continuity.

“Public hospitals are a pillar of social equality and a key factor in the well-being of the population. If they collapse, GESY will also collapse,” PASYKI said.

“OKYPY’s model has failed and we need to find a cure. We call on the government to recognise the issues doctors and patients are constantly faced with and act immediately so that a viable solution for public hospitals can be found,” the statement concluded.