The patient who missed their chance for a lung transplant due to a lack of air transport remains on the waiting list, according to the federation of patient associations, Osak. This unfortunate situation has sparked a call for thorough investigation by the health ministry.
Osak’s director, Andreas Christodolou, shared the news with the Cyprus Mail, noting that the health ministry is currently looking into the case. “For now, we don’t know whether the transplant would have been possible even if we had the necessary means of transport,” he stated.
The incident became public earlier this week when the health insurance organisation (HIO) revealed that a patient had missed the opportunity for a lung transplant abroad. On February 2, at 11pm, the HIO was informed about a matching donor lung available for the patient. However, despite immediate efforts to arrange transport, none of the collaborating air carriers could facilitate the flight within the required timeframe.
The patient was scheduled to be airlifted to the hospital the next day at 3am, but due to the delays, the procedure was ultimately cancelled. The HIO clarified that their logistics were managed in accordance with established protocols, and they were not responsible for patient evaluations.
In addressing the issue, Christodolou emphasised the critical need for Cyprus to secure donor organs without relying on external processes. He highlighted that the waiting lists are long, making it increasingly difficult to find a matching organ for a lung transplant. This is particularly concerning because the patient has “lost the opportunity for life,” not for medical reasons but due to what he termed “organisational inability.”
Osak has urged the health ministry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, aiming to identify any shortcomings and ensure that such a situation does not occur again. The seriousness of the case has resonated within the community, reflecting the urgent need for systemic improvements in organ transplant logistics.
Despite the ordeal, Christodolou confirmed that the patient remains alive and is still waiting for a matching donor organ. Due to privacy regulations, Osak refrained from disclosing further details about the transplant destination or how long the patient had been on the waiting list.
As of now, the HIO has facilitated the transport of 198 patients abroad since October 2022, of which 27 were airlifted for transplants, with nine cases being life-threatening. The HIO reiterated that the timeframes for potential transplants are dictated by strict international clinical and operational standards, which cannot be altered administratively.
