athalassa psychiatric — The Athalassa psychiatric hospital, the only public facility of its kind in the country, is facing severe criticism from the political party Akel over its unsafe conditions for both patients and staff. The party has labelled the situation as not only problematic but also ‘shameful and dangerous’, calling for immediate government action to rectify longstanding neglect.
Athalassa psychiatric: Alarming State of Affairs
Akel’s statement on Friday highlights that the hospital has been effectively collapsing due to years of neglect, with outdated infrastructure and serious overcrowding posing hazardous conditions. Reports from nurses and trade unions, including Pasyno and Pasyki, underscore the gravity of the situation, citing overcrowded wards and structurally unsound buildings that heighten risks for everyone involved.
Urgent Call for Accountability
“There must be accountability for all the delays, omissions and decisions that led to this situation,” Akel emphasised. The party is demanding that the government take concrete measures without delay, including the immediate launch and completion of the second phase of construction for new facilities at Athalassa.
Rights and Dignity at Stake
Akel further stressed that mental health must be treated as a critical issue of justice and public responsibility. In their view, the current state of the hospital reflects a lack of prioritisation for mental health by the state, which they described as treating the issue as a mere footnote. The party has also announced plans to refer the matter to the relevant parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.
Commitment to Patient Care
In their statement, Akel made it clear that no treatment should be disrupted and no patient should be relocated without full guarantees of continuity of care. “The dignity of the mentally ill and the safety of workers are non-negotiable,” they asserted, calling for immediate reforms that would ensure safe and dignified hospital facilities.
