With the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipandela, and a delegation of OAI, headed by Athos Tsinonidis, the Pensioners' Organizations, the House of Elders and the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteerism discussed today the problems of pensioners. According to the announcement of the HCYSY, the meeting was set after the commitment of the Minister, following the meeting between them on April 7, where the same problems were discussed.
As the announcement of the HCYSY says, the meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere and those present exchanged views on possible ways to solve the problems, while several of the suggestions of the pensioners' representatives are expected to be taken into account by the competent authorities.
The HCUSY and the House of Pensioners raised at the meeting the problems encountered after the implementation of the YESY, particularly due to the cost of purchasing medicines that are not covered by the YESY at all. They also discussed the problems presented in a memo from the Health Committee of the House of Elders as well as those raised by the HCUSY in its memos to the Minister of Health and the OAS.
An important positive development, as noted, is that, after much pleading by the HCUSY, the representatives of the OAI have informed that the problem of new patients who were not entitled to certain medicines and were forced to pay exorbitant amounts, while the old patients were obtaining them through the GESY, has been resolved.
Particular reference was made by the HCUSY to the fact that pensioners, comparing the costs they previously had as holders of the free hospital card in terms of medicines, now with the GHS the majority are paying more. Also several drugs that are essential for the elderly are not covered.
At the same time several drugs that pensioners have been taking for years from state pharmacies are now out of GESY and they are forced to buy them from private pharmacies at their normal price. There has been no progress so far on the problem with the cost of medicines and therefore the HCUSY insists that a way to solve it should be found.
The meeting also raised a request from the House of Elders to address the problem of waiting lists for patient surgeries. It was reported that a decision was taken to operate operating theatres in hospitals in the afternoons as well. An effort should also be made to overcome these problems through the private hospitals that are included in the GHS to overcome these problems, as well as for a short appointment of visits to specialists.
The need to include podiatrists in the GHS as well as to improve the procedure and increase the subsidy for hearing aids was also raised. Other problems raised during the meeting were the need to create rehabilitation centres, home care and flu vaccines. Finally, EKYSY also raised the issue of improving the protocols related to mammograms, osteoporosis tests and Pap tests.
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