The Cyprus Crohn’s and Colitis Association (CYCCA) wishes to clarify its position following recent press reports concerning the discussion held by the Parliamentary Health Committee regarding the problems faced by patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. The references made to the hospitals of Nicosia, Larnaca, and Famagusta regarding appointments with gastroenterologists concerned the initial appointment only, and not the follow-up appointments that are scheduled directly by gastroenterologists for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). We discussed this issue with the Ministry of Health during a meeting on 13 October. The Ministry acknowledged that delays in obtaining a first appointment may result in delayed diagnosis and assured us that physicians working in outpatient departments would be informed to refer patients with an indication that they may have IBD. This would help prevent such patients from being placed on extensive waiting lists. Regarding colonoscopies and initial appointments, we have no complaints whatsoever about the gastroenterologists. On the contrary, we fully support them. The problems arise either from the insufficient number of gastroenterologists or from the lack of an adequate number of operating theatres available for performing colonoscopies. We consider it unacceptable that public-sector gastroenterologists are required to prioritize patients over waiting......