KTTB President Dalkan: Emergency rooms cannot replace primary healthcare services

President of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association, Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Dalkan, stated that the main cause of overcrowding and disruptions in emergency departments is the Ministry of Health's lack of planning, emphasizing that these units cannot replace primary healthcare services.

Lack of Planning and Overcrowding in the Healthcare System

Cyprus Turkish Medical Association President Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Dalkan argued that the lack of planning in the healthcare system lies at the root of the overcrowding, long wait times, and service disruptions experienced in emergency departments. Dalkan stated that attempts are being made to pin the responsibility for the problems created by the system on healthcare workers.

Inadequacy of Primary Care Services

Stating that the planning of health services has failed to keep pace with population growth, Dalkan noted that primary healthcare services have not been strengthened. He emphasized that the burden on hospitals and emergency departments increases every passing day due to the failure to establish a tiered medical practitioner system.

Solution Proposals and New Hospitals

Expressing that Kyrenia and Güzelyurt hospitals must be put into service as soon as possible, Dalkan pointed out that manpower planning must strictly be conducted prior to their opening. For a solution, he proposed establishing a tiered medical practitioner system and implementing Universal Health Insurance.