Water is leaking into doctors’ rooms and kitchens at Makarios Hospital’s children’s cancer ward, where ongoing construction work is disrupting treatment of vulnerable young patients, a charity has warned.
The Mikri Iroes (Little Heroes) foundation wrote to Health Minister Neofytos Charalambides demanding immediate action to protect children receiving cancer treatment at the hospital.
Construction work is causing serious disruption, with water leaking into the doctors’ room and kitchen, the foundation said.
“We call on the health ministry and all relevant bodies to take immediate action. The health and safety of our children is non-negotiable,” the foundation said.
Parents of children being treated at the ward have raised complaints that are causing serious concern, the charity said.
The conditions raise legitimate questions about the safety, hygiene and overall protection of children receiving treatment, who belong to a particularly vulnerable patient category, it added.
The foundation had previously warned the health ministry and relevant departments about potential risks from the construction work.
The ministry gave assurances at the time that there was no cause for concern, but recent developments appear to confirm the worries that were expressed, Little Heroes said.
(information from CNA)