Polis Chrysochous Hospital built 1957 by the British, has been serving the region for nearly seven decades. Yet despite its critical role, it remains one of the most neglected public institutions. In fact, it remains one of the forgotten hospitals in Cyprus! Patients are frequently transported to Paphos Hospital for treatment because the small hospital does not have the facilities or the beds to handle serious cases.
Originally constructed to support a rural community, the hospital now serves a population that has now quadrupled and continues to expand. It operates in deteriorating buildings that reflect long-term institutional complacency or administration indifference: One can take a pick!
Despite this, Polis Hospital remains indispensable. This little gem serves thousands of people from far away places such as Kato Pyrgos, Pomos and nearby villages but also tourists visiting the wider area. It is simply the beating heart of a vast region. Yet, successive governments have largely abandoned it.
For years, locals have been reassured with political promises that the hospital would be modernized or replaced with a new building that reflects European standards of care. Even President Chrystodoulides promised last year that a well-equipped modern hospital would be build to meet the region’s growing demands.
As with many political pledges, these promises have remained words without action or substance! Citizens are still waiting and are not any wiser today than yesterday because transparency is non-existence in the echelons of power.
Locals can no longer believe political-party rhetoric even if it comes from the president. Actions speak louder than words. Last week, hopes were dashed even further. Mr Koulounas—in change of all hospitals and operations in Cyprus—stated unequivocally that, “the area does not need a new hospital”. His remarks enraged residents including the mayor of Polis Chrysochous, who condemned the statement.
The hospital without a doubt can no longer function efficiently in its present state. It is struggling! The dedicated ambulance employees and caring nurses including doctors are stretched to their limits. They do not have the time—or the responsibility—to address the crumbling physical environment around them. It is not their job! Next year, their burden will increase when 3-4 new “all-inclusive” hotels—will add more than 1000 units in the area— alongside the expansion of Latchi marina.
The surge of visitors per week—especially in the summer months—will overwhelm the small community and place immense pressure on the infrastructure but especially the small Polis hospital already at breaking point. Still, no plan has been put forward to deal with the looming challenge how the area and the small hospital will cope.
The truth is stark: the previous administrations chose complacency, disinterest and inaction over responsibility. As a result, Polis Chrysochous Hospital stands as a symbol of accumulated apathy and systemic institutional neglect. This little hospital should have been replaced years ago.
A personal story of loss— And Hope
Amid this broader failure lies a very personal story—one that reflects both the hardship and humanity found within the Polis hospital’s walls.
Five years ago, my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During the final months of her life, she spent many days and nights at Polis Hospital where the nice nurses and doctors soon became her “caring angels.” She felt safe and secure there and because of that, so did I.
Visiting the local hospital so many times, I soon recognized how dilapidated the buildings were and often thought to myself: why have the authorities neglected the only hospital serving such a vast region? Do they not care? Why doesn’t the mayor take the initiative and fight for a new hospital in his town? Have they all lost the sense of caring and pride?
Every day and night visiting my wife, I found myself comparing the small Polis hospital to the German Oncology Centre (GOC) in Limassol where she received chemotherapy treatments.
There, the grounds were immaculate, the infrastructure efficient, manicured gardens, litter free car parking spaces and the buildings were well maintained. Even a young lady pianist played and sung to soft music in the cafeteria to relax anxious patients before going for treatment. Psychologically, the introduction of music therapy works wonders for most people; it certainly did for my wife and me after a two hour drive there. The contrast between the two hospitals was incomparable.
Scorched Garden
Polis Hospital has become my wife’s security blanket and she often received emergency treatments there and was admitted in mixed wards. On one occasion, I decided to walk her—so she can get out of bed—to the sunroom overlooking the hospital garden. But, what we saw filled us with absolute horror.
The garden was scorched, full of dry weeds and seemed uncared for years. Discarded broken chairs; fallen gutters; crumbling pathways and smashed electrical posts on the ground made the place inaccessible. The small chapel it was engulfed from wild vegetation and the “garden” was a monument to institutional neglect and indifference!
While looking at the appalling state of the garden, Eva softly muttered to me in her muffled voice, “look Andreas…look at that beautiful red flower, I think it’s a rose”, she said to me and got all excited. She pointed at the far end of the scorched garden and yes; there it was a single beautiful red rose engulfed by overgrown weeds.
Her face lit up with a beautiful smile I had not seen for a long time and all because of that one single red rose that refused to wither and die. It was a most invigorating display of rationale by a fading person that loved nature’s gift of life.
Two days later, we found ourselves standing at the sunroom again. This time I detected she was disturbed and searching for something. I looked around and all I could see was nothing except for the lifeless yellow dead garden!
Eventually, she turned to me and in a hardly audible voice said to me, “look Andreas… that beautiful red rose has now died”, she muttered and seemed very upset about it.
Knowing that my own “beautiful rose” was fading, I held her hand and vowed a promise that, “I will make sure beautiful red roses will always grow in abundance in that little garden of Polis Chrysochous Hospital so patients, doctors and nurses can admire colourful flowers full of life rather than looking at dead ones.”
Two days later Eva was gone but her “divine inspiration” lives on.
A Call for Responsibility
With the administration’s permission, I hired gardeners to clear and landscape the entire area and replant colourful roses with vibrant colours. The blooming garden at Polis Chrysochous Hospital is now full of roses and well kept by the administration.
It welcomes patients, doctors, nurses and visitors alike offering a peaceful space to breath, reflect or light a candle at the small chapel. It stands as a statement to what care —and commitment—can achieve.
“Eva’s Rose Garden” proves what can be done when even one person chooses action over complacency. But a garden is not enough! The region deserves what it has long been denied of: a functional, modern hospital worthy of the lives it serves.
It is time for Polis Municipality, OKYPY, the government and the authorities responsible finally deliver the hospital and healthcare that the people of the region urgently deserve.
Without a doubt, good things happen because people make them happen; bad things happen because people allow them to happen!
Andreas Ch Chrysafis
Author/Artist/ Article Writer
December 14, 2025
Note: The full story of “Eva’s Odyssey for Life” published by Amazon is now available.
https://www.amazon.com/Evas-Odyssey-Life-Andreas-Chrysafis/dp/B0FQ3YJ717/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
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