Cyprus Parliament discusses establishment of National Ambulance Authority amid safety concerns

On February 12, 2026, the Cyprus Parliamentary Health Committee reviewed a government bill to establish an independent National Ambulance Authority outside the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY). Riana Constantinou, Head of the Ambulance Service, testified that private companies are operating unregulated, utilizing used vehicles from the UK that lack essential equipment and hiring staff without proper training. She reported that state ambulances are frequently called to take over difficult cases from these private providers, which puts patients at risk. Committee Chairman Efthymios Diplaros expressed the political will to bring the bill to the Plenary for a vote by March 26, 2026, before the current parliamentary term ends in April. OKYPY's Executive Director, Kypros Stavrides, emphasized that the organization has made significant investments in modern ambulances and training that must be evaluated for compensation. Various stakeholders highlighted the urgency of the bill to end the current 'uncontrolled' state of pre-hospital care. The proposed authority aims to coordinate staffing, funding, and legal responsibilities more effectively.