Dr Marios Kyriazis, a gerontologist, spoke on Protoselido about the rise in mortality rates in Cyprus and the urgent need to establish geriatric wards in hospitals.
Discussing mortality, Dr Kyriazis noted that small changes in the number of deaths can significantly impact statistics, mentioning approximately 30 more deaths compared to previous months. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, he highlighted several factors, including the pandemic, vaccinations, and particularly the social isolation of the elderly during the early months of the pandemic.
“When you leave an elderly person at home without the ability to go outside, it leads to a host of other problems such as heart issues, weakened immunity, depression, and anxiety. These long-term health impacts increase the likelihood of death. We raised this concern early on, published studies, and sent recommendations to the Ministry of Health, suggesting measures to reduce isolation. Unfortunately, we now face increased mortality rates, and this trend will likely persist in the coming years,” he explained.
Dr Kyriazis also criticised the lack of progress in implementing the “Red Button” initiative, describing the situation as tragic. “It could save lives and prevent complications. Patients could address issues before they worsen, avoiding hospital admissions,” he said.
Addressing the necessity for geriatric clinics, he emphasised the importance of specialised care for an ageing population. “With an increasing elderly population, there should be greater interest in their healthcare. The first step is creating geriatric wards in hospitals. It’s a simple solution. I don’t understand why the authorities don’t see how straightforward this is.”
He proposed that hospitals could designate existing wards as geriatric wards, grouping elderly patients together. Doctors and nurses could undergo short training programmes in geriatrics to establish a foundation. “This could be implemented within months to make a start. I don’t understand why it hasn’t happened—possibly due to societal and leadership attitudes.”
Dr Kyriazis noted confusion about who should take the initiative for such a project, questioning whether it should fall under the Ministry of Health, OKYPY (State Health Services Organisation), or Parliament. “Nobody knows how to take the first step,” he concluded.
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