CMA seeks police update on sick leave certificates for inmates – disciplinary action if allegations confirmed
The Cyprus Medical Association is preparing a letter to police headquarters regarding a criminal investigation into alleged issuing of false sick leave certificates to inmates.
CMA: Letter to police regarding sick leave certificate case at prisons
The Cyprus Medical Association (CMA) is closely monitoring an ongoing criminal investigation related to allegations of issuing sick leave certificates to inmates based on false statements, and intends to request official notification from police headquarters. This was stated, according to Politis, by Michalis Anastasiades, chairman of the CMA's Ethics Committee, speaking on the "Second Look" programme on Politis radio 107.6 & 97.6.
Mr Anastasiades stated that at his own direction, a letter is being prepared to police, through which the CMA will request information on the progress of the case, which he described as "very serious".
The investigation and audit office findings
The criminal investigation was launched following findings by the Audit Office and concerns alleged possible collusion between doctors and prison officers for the purpose of obtaining sick leave without legal grounds. An official from the Audit Office gave evidence to investigators at the law enforcement agency headquarters, naming two doctors — an internist and an orthopaedic surgeon.
The CMA representative emphasised that, since the allegations concern potential criminal offences, the referral of the case to police through the Legal Service was the correct institutional procedure.
"From the moment that possibly our members are involved in unlawful activity, we require the full investigation and clarification of the entire case," said Mr Anastasiades.
5,548 days of sick leave in seven months
During the interview, Mr Anastasiades was presented with data revealed by Politis regarding the extent of sick leave certificates in the prison department. From January to July 2026, four officers, 12 head prison officers and 38 prison officers received a total of 5,548 days of sick leave. The data concerns exclusively prison service staff who were absent for more than 40 days.
When asked whether such a high number could be considered normal, Mr Anastasiades replied in the negative. He noted, however, that the CMA cannot draw conclusions or assign responsibility solely on the basis of published reports, and that it must await the results of the official investigation to determine "what is the scope and nature" of any alleged offences.
Can an orthopaedic surgeon issue a sick leave certificate for migraine?
Particular discussion was prompted by one of the Audit Office's findings: an orthopaedic surgeon reportedly issued a sick leave certificate to a prison officer with the reason stated as "migraine".
Mr Anastasiades explained that the fact that a diagnosis does not at first glance fall within a doctor's specialty is not in itself sufficient to conclude that there is illegality. According to him, a doctor with a lawful licence to practise may, under certain conditions, examine a patient and issue a sick leave certificate, even if the diagnosis does not fall absolutely within his or her specialty.
"To say absolutely that an orthopaedic surgeon or a plastic surgeon cannot issue such a certificate, because on the first reading it appears not to be so logical, requires further investigation," he said characteristically.
He acknowledged, however, that such a case might, "on first reading", appear unusual and require further investigation. He also noted that legislation does not determine in an absolute way each medical act by specialty, whilst questions of exceeding medical authority or negligence can be judged by the courts.
Disciplinary action if details are confirmed
Mr Anastasiades made clear that, should the investigation produce evidence constituting misconduct, the CMA will examine the matter at disciplinary level as well.
"If the allegation is confirmed, we will certainly take action at the level of disciplinary investigation as well, because, if the information is sound, disciplinary misconduct may emerge for which we must exercise the appropriate oversight," he said.
He avoided, however, prejudging the outcome of the criminal investigation, emphasising that at the present stage it would be "premature, inappropriate and risky" to determine the nature of any misconduct or to assign responsibility to the doctors involved.
"We will await with particular interest the progress of this investigation. From the moment it concerns possible involvement of our members, you understand it affects us," concluded Mr Anastasiades.
Source: Politis