Okypy said public hospitals followed the required medical protocols in the case of an autistic child, after relatives filed a complaint over the handling of an incident at state hospitals.
The State Health Services Organisation said both Nicosia General Hospital and Makarios Hospital are accredited hospitals and apply the required protocols for all conditions, including the protocol for children with autism.
It said the paediatric accident and emergency department at Nicosia General Hospital is staffed exclusively by paediatricians and specialised nursing staff with extensive experience in handling such cases.
In this case, Okypy said the medical protocol was followed strictly. Based on the child’s clinical condition, as well as laboratory and imaging tests, the child’s life was not in danger, it said.
Okypy said the presence of parents or relatives during a child’s examination is recommended and encouraged to create a safe and friendly environment, and that this is applied in all cases.
However, it said the presence of many unfamiliar people increases a child’s insecurity, makes the child irritable and can produce the opposite result from that sought. The organisation said this had also been a demand by parents and had been discussed several years ago in the House of Representatives, leading to the drafting of a procedure.
According to Okypy, when a child does not cooperate for examinations, the protocol provides, as a first step, the administration of special medication through the nose using a device, so that the child can calm down and the examinations can be carried out. It said this was also done in this case.
Sedation is used only when the first step does not achieve the desired result, because the administration of sedatives or other medicines can cause serious side effects, Okypy said.
The organisation said the delay in carrying out a CT scan was due to anaesthetists being in surgery at the time for an emergency case. It added that, based on the child’s clinical condition and test results, the child’s life was not in danger in a way that required an immediate CT scan.
Because the incident stemmed from a road accident, Okypy said it was considered appropriate for the child to be admitted to the paediatric surgery ward at Makarios Hospital for monitoring.
The child is being treated in a three-bed room, where initially the child was with his sister and is now alone, according to the organisation.
Okypy said the ward has only one two-bedroom, which is used for children receiving day care, while the remaining rooms have three or four beds.
On the issue of blood tests and the presence of parents during the procedure, Okypy said the same points apply.
The organisation said its priority is high-quality healthcare and effective treatment for all patients.
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Family raises serious questions over healthcare handling of child with autism following road accident