Patient Rights Commissioner: Complaints are a Way to Improve the Healthcare System

Patient Rights Commissioner Michalis Charalambidis stated that citizens' complaints about medical services should not be perceived as an attack on the system, but as an opportunity for its improvement.

He emphasized that every patient who believes their rights have been violated or that they received inadequate care should have access to an objective and transparent procedure for reviewing their case.

Inquiries Following Recent Incidents

The statement comes amid investigations being conducted by the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) into several incidents in recent weeks.

These include:

• the death of a 42-year-old woman after surgery;
• a complaint regarding the hospitalization conditions of a 72-year-old patient;
• the death of a 92-year-old patient following hospital treatment.

Charalambidis stressed that such matters require a balanced and institutional approach, without jumping to premature conclusions.

According to the Commissioner, spreading unconfirmed or generalized accusations against medical professionals before investigations are complete undermines trust in the healthcare system.

He noted that the relationship of trust between patients and medical specialists is of key importance and must be built on transparency, respect, and honest communication.

New Complaint Handling Mechanism

As part of the new institution, a structured mechanism for registering and assessing patient complaints is being established.

Plans include:

• appointing patient rights officers in medical facilities;
• creating district complaint review committees;
• training staff on patient rights issues;
• using complaints as a tool to identify systemic problems.

The Commissioner has already begun visiting medical facilities across the country to discuss the implementation of the new mechanism and the protection of patient rights.