Patients in Cyprus needing endocrinology care are facing alarming wait times, with appointments through the General Healthcare System (GHS) now taking three to five months and some private GHS doctors scheduling as far ahead as March 2027. This chronic shortage of specialists has been highlighted by the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations (OSAK), raising concerns about the impact on those requiring urgent medical attention.
Endocrinology crisis: Severe Shortage of Endocrinologists
Currently, there are only 30 endocrinologists operating within the GHS and about 15 in the private sector, serving a population of roughly one million residents in Cyprus. This equates to one endocrinologist for every approximately 33,000 people, a figure that highlights the stark imbalance between patient needs and available specialist care.
Impact on Patients with Chronic Conditions
With diabetes affecting more than 10% of the population and a rising number of thyroid conditions, the demand for endocrinology services is increasing. Miltos Miltiadous, secretary of OSAK, stated that public sector appointments are already booked out until December 2026, and many private doctors are unable to accept new patients.
Challenges Faced by General Practitioners
The situation is exacerbated by the current restrictions imposed by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO), which limit the abilities of general practitioners (GPs) to provide necessary care without a referral to a specialist. For instance, GPs cannot prescribe certain injectable diabetes medications or conduct routine vitamin D tests without first consulting an endocrinologist.
Miltiadous pointed out that these restrictions leave many patients, who do not require specialist care, waiting unnecessarily. He emphasised, “All these patients, where there is no question of safety and no clinical reason requiring a specialist referral, could be served by their own GP — and the endocrinologist waiting lists would not be so burdened.” This inefficiency not only delays treatment but also places additional strain on the already overstretched healthcare system.
Calls for Action from Health Authorities
OSAK has urged the Ministry of Health and the Cyprus Medical Association to take immediate steps to resolve the endocrinology crisis. Miltiadous has called for the introduction of incentives aimed at encouraging newly qualified doctors to specialise in endocrinology, a move that could help address the shortage in the long term.
Reviewing Existing Restrictions
Furthermore, he has advocated for a thorough review of the restrictions initially introduced by the HIO when the GHS was launched. Miltiadous argued that the measures, which were designed to prevent abuse of healthcare services, are no longer suitable nearly seven years later. He stated, “We may have seen abuse of vitamin D testing in the GHS’s first year, but we cannot continue almost seven years later with the same system and go on making thousands of chronic patients suffer without revising these restrictions.”
Urgency for Change
The ongoing crisis in endocrinology care necessitates urgent action from health authorities to ensure that patients can access the medical support they require in a timely manner. The current delays pose significant risks to patients’ health and well-being, particularly for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
As the situation stands, many patients are left in a state of uncertainty and distress, waiting for appointments that may not come for years. The health system must adapt to the evolving needs of the population and ensure that adequate resources are allocated to address the growing demand for endocrinology services.
Future Outlook
Without immediate intervention, the endocrinology crisis in Cyprus is likely to worsen, further endangering the health of many residents. Collaboration between healthcare authorities, medical professionals, and patient advocacy groups will be essential in developing sustainable solutions to ensure that every individual receives the care they deserve.
