Athalassa hospital addresses overcrowding concerns and allegations

The State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) and Athalassa Hospital have formally addressed concerns regarding psychiatric ward overcrowding and reports from the PASYDY nursing union alleging that patients were sleeping on the floor. While the authorities acknowledged periodic overcrowding caused by unpredictable police-issued mandatory hospitalization warrants, they stated that no patients are currently without beds. To manage capacity, the facility has been operating under an emergency plan for the past three months, which included evacuating structurally unsound buildings and increasing bed capacity in newer, safe facilities. Additionally, eight new mandatory hospitalization beds are scheduled to open at the Limassol General Hospital psychiatric wing by mid-May. Approximately 15 chronic patients are also planned to be relocated to a protected hostel by the end of May. Furthermore, the organization has initiated the design phase for the second and third stages of upgrading the hospital and mental health services to ensure long-term improvements.