larnaca hospital — larnaca hospital — The family of a 72-year-old woman is alleging neglect after she died alone at Larnaca general hospital in the early hours of January 18. Constantia Nikolaou was taken to the hospital by ambulance on January 17 after falling ill, and her family is demanding answers regarding the lack of basic care and contradictory information from staff.
- “She was left all alone, without water, without anyone asking if she was okay, if she needed anything,” her granddaughter recounted on Sigma TV. “No one saw her in all those hours.”
According to her granddaughter, when Nikolaou arrived at the hospital around 4pm, her family informed staff that she had tested positive for coronavirus and was feeling increasingly weak. Despite this, Nikolaou was placed in an isolation room in the emergency department, where she remained for approximately five hours without being examined.
“She was left all alone, without water, without anyone asking if she was okay, if she needed anything,” her granddaughter recounted on Sigma TV. “No one saw her in all those hours.”
During this time, family members made repeated phone calls to the hospital, but it was not until around 9 to 9.30pm that a doctor finally examined Nikolaou. The initial assessment revealed sepsis, leading to her transfer to the infectious disease unit.
Relatives believe that the hospital was overwhelmed that evening due to a serious shooting incident earlier that day in Larnaca. “They left the remaining patients to the mercy of God,” the granddaughter lamented.
After being reassured by the doctor on duty that there was no need for a relative to stay with the patient, the family attempted to ensure that staff were aware of the medication Nikolaou required for other health conditions. They were assured that it would be administered.
However, at 3.51am, Nikolaou’s daughter called for an update on her condition but received vague responses. “They couldn’t answer us clearly,” the granddaughter insisted, noting that a nurse initially claimed she did not have a clear picture of Nikolaou’s status before later stating, “everything is fine.”
Tragically, just twenty-six minutes later, at 4.17am, the hospital contacted Nikolaou’s son to deliver the devastating news that his mother had died from cardiac arrest. “At 3.51 they had no idea about her condition, and a few minutes later they called us to say she had passed away,” the granddaughter stated. “She had not been given her medication, despite assurances.”
In a formal letter sent to the health ministry and Okypy, the family outlined their concerns, questioning whether Nikolaou was being adequately monitored, how her condition could have deteriorated so suddenly, and whether vital signs were being tracked. They expressed disbelief that no one checked on her during the critical hours leading up to her death.
“Did anyone go to check on her? How often are these checks carried out?” the granddaughter questioned, emphasising their distress over the situation. Although the family initially did not file a police complaint to avoid autopsy procedures, they firmly believe that what occurred was sheer negligence.
In response to the family’s allegations, Okypy confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the complaint. In a brief statement, the organisation expressed its condolences to the family and committed to looking into the circumstances surrounding Nikolaou’s death. Furthermore, the health ministry has requested a full inquiry into the matter.
