Today is a historic day for Cypriot society. Three years ago the GESY, the biggest social reform since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, was implemented.
According to the Presidency of the Republic, with the implementation of the GESY, medical facilities were upgraded, actions and policies were implemented, which focus on the patient and his/her needs. The overall budget of the Ministry of Health has increased by 79% since 2013, demonstrating the political will and determination of the Government and President Nicos Anastasiades personally to support the health sector.
The benefits for citizens in terms of expenditure on medicines are also significant.
The overall budget of the Ministry of Health has increased by 79% since 2013, demonstrating the political will and determination of the Government and President Nicos Anastasiades personally to support the health sector. An 85% reduction was recorded in the money that patients would spend on medicines. The coverage of the cost of medicines for patients reached €197 million.
An increase of 295% in the number of surgeries was recorded. In particular, 100 thousand surgeries were performed in 2021 on GHS beneficiaries, compared to 34 thousand surgeries performed in public hospitals before the integration of private hospitals into the health system.
OAS spending on care services for the years 2020-2022 amounted to EUR 3.5 billion. Projects were carried out to modernize and upgrade hospitals, 13 new ambulance stations were created with a significant reduction in patient waiting time. A coordination centre for ambulances was also created, which operates on a nationwide basis.
The Government is planning other actions, some of which are included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow". A total of EUR 81 million will be made available through the Cyprus Tomorrow Plan.
The General Health Insurance Scheme is being strengthened by reinforcing the supervision and control of the health system, the implementation of e-health for all is being accelerated, infrastructure is being upgraded and modernised, such as the creation of a Unit for the Treatment of Communicable Diseases, the creation of a First Aid Department for children at Makarios Hospital and the construction of a new mental health hospital. The creation of new facilities for the blood centre and the expansion and establishment of dialysis units to cover all cities are also being promoted. The provision of specialized care for children is being promoted.
The Government's aim is for the resilient health system created for the benefit of citizens to remain resilient and accessible to all.
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