A private clinic in Nicosia where the Legionella bacterium was detected has been suspended from the General Healthcare System (GeSY) following the serious case involving a newborn who remains hospitalised at Makarios Hospital.
The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) suspended its agreement with the clinic after the Ministry of Health temporarily suspended the facility's operating licence.
The decision has immediate consequences for the clinic's operation within GeSY, as it can no longer accept new patients through the system or claim reimbursement for services provided during the suspension period.
According to an HIO statement, the process began as soon as the organisation received official notification from the Registrar of Private Hospitals regarding the suspension of the clinic's operating licence.
The procedure was completed on the same day, with the contract suspension taking effect retrospectively from the exact date and time the relevant order was issued.
What changes for patients
As long as the Ministry of Health's decision remains in force, the clinic is not permitted to provide inpatient healthcare services as a contracted GeSY provider.
This means that no new GeSY beneficiaries can be admitted, while the HIO will not reimburse any services falling within the suspension period.
For patients who were already receiving treatment at the clinic when the decision was issued, arrangements are being handled in accordance with Health Ministry directives and relevant legislation.
Conditions for reinstatement
The clinic's return to GeSY is dependent on the prior lifting of the suspension of its operating licence.
Even if that occurs, reinstatement will not happen automatically. The clinic must submit official documentation to the HIO confirming the decision of the competent authority.
The organisation stressed that responsibility for licensing and suspending private hospitals rests exclusively with the Registrar of Private Hospitals, while the HIO is responsible for measures relating to their participation in GeSY.
Investigation continues
Meanwhile, investigations into how the newborn contracted Legionellosis are continuing.
The infant remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Makarios Hospital.
Authorities have already confirmed the presence of Legionella pneumophila at two points in the clinic's water supply network, a finding that prompted the suspension of the facility's operations.
