The participating health ministers discussed recent developments in Ukraine and agreed to discuss ways to help those affected at a conference to be held next week.
According to a statement from the Ministry, Hatzipandela referred to the issue of Cyprus' national policy in the field of rare diseases, saying that our country manages all rare disease related initiatives as an important asset and tool, and looks forward to the continued development of European initiatives to optimise cooperation between the MS.
He said that the funding and sustainability of existing and new projects in terms of developing further synergies for the inclusion of smaller Member States is an important tool in this direction and referred to the main difficulties Cyprus faces in developing a holistic approach to the care of patients with rare diseases, which are mainly related to the small population proportion, the specialisation of professionals in several fields of rare diseases, geographical distance and financial constraints.
For these reasons, he said, Orphanet as a European information base for physicians, researchers and patients in the field of rare diseases is particularly important for Cyprus, expressing, therefore, the desire to ensure its long-term financial viability.
The Minister of Health also made a special reference to the European Reference Networks, stressing their important role in bridging the scientific gap between MS and specialists in the treatment and management of specific rare diseases.
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