The president of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation has alleged negligence in the death of a 62-year-old quadriplegic woman at Larnaca General Hospital, claiming the patient was left without medical care for hours.
Demetris Lambrianides said the woman was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at 8:30 on Monday morning but was only examined by a doctor eight hours later, following pressure from relatives.
Patient waited eight hours before seeing doctor at emergency department
In a social media post, Lambrianides stated that the woman suffered from a rare form of progressive myelopathy and was eventually examined by a pulmonology resident after the prolonged wait.
The patient was admitted to the Pulmonology Clinic the following afternoon when her health had already deteriorated significantly, according to the complaint.
Woman suffered cardiac arrest after condition deteriorated overnight
During the night, the woman suffered cardiac arrest and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where relatives were informed she remained without oxygen for more than 20 minutes, resulting in damage to vital organs.
The Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation president noted that relatives have not yet received official information about the exact cause of death or how the patient’s condition evolved to such a critical state.
Family still awaiting official cause of death information
Lambrianidis criticised the extensive delays in emergency departments, questioning how the woman’s life was “torturously lost within GHS, in a European country.”
“In a rich, generous health system without the required/necessary safety and quality for patients. Are those responsible all well? Today is Wednesday and tomorrow yet another Thursday? Emergency departments with at least eight hours of waiting?” his post concluded.