The Paediatric Department at the Lefkoşa Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital is being moved to the Emergency Hospital Building, the Minister of Health İzlem Gürçağ Altuğra announced.

The announcement came during a visit to the hospital by Altuğra on Monday.

Health Minister İzlem Gürçağ Altuğra visited the hospital’s appointment call centre on Monday.

Speaking to reporters during the visit, the health minister announced plans to move the hospital’s paediatric department to the emergency hospital building, used previously to treat Covid-19 patients during the pandemic.

She said that the entire building will be solely allocated for paediatrics.

“All operations, surgeries and treatments will be done at the emergency hospital. The neo natal intensive care unit will also be at the new building. The emergency hospital is fully equipped to deal with all of our needs. We need to stop transferring patients to private hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary to cut down on costs,” Altuğra added.

She also said that the appointment call centre for the Lefkoşa Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital and the Gazimağusa State Hospital will remain operational until 5pm on weekdays.

Altuğra added that patients will be able to book appointments for the Girne Dr Akçiçek Hospital via telephone as of October.