The new Accident and Emergency Department at Larnaca General Hospital is expected to open for patients between 5 and 10 September, Health Minister Michael Damianos has said.
There are multiple areas in the new Department, when compared to the old one and this is a significant upgrade for public health in Larnaca, the Minister added.
Speaking after visiting the hospital’s Rapid Transit Clinic (RTC), Damianos also noted efforts to decongest the A&E Departments with the operation of RTCs in Larnaca, Famagusta and other cities.
He pointed to past discussions over the long waiting hours in the Emergency Departments, adding that “this has already been tackled to a large extend with the RTCs”.
These clinics started operating in March 31st in Nicosia and June 2 in Paphos on pilot basis and have served a large number of patients already.
In Larnaca, RTCs started on July 18 and operate Friday to Sunday, examining on average of 18 patients per day.
According to Health Ministry data, the RTC at the Larnaca General Hospital has examined 329 patients by August 26.
The Minister also noted that on August 18, an RTC started operating seasonally in Famagusta General Hospital and 50% of patients visiting the hospital were patients at the Rapid Transit Clinic.
In the first 9 days, a total of 145 patients were examined, with an average of 16 visits per day, the same data say. This RTC operates during the summer season to cover needs in the area during the busy tourism season.
Speaking about the new ward at the Larnaca Genera Hospital, the Health Minister said that works at the mental health clinic, dentistry and mother and child areas, will progress by the end of September, so that they can be officially handed over in about a month.
