The International Day was established by the European Organization for Rare Diseases in 2008 and has since been commemorated on the last day of February every year.
During the lighting ceremony, the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic, Andreas Joseph, addressed the ceremony in the presence of the Pancyprian Alliance of Rare Diseases. Mr. Iosif said that the Presidency of the Republic is a fellow traveller "in the global effort to raise awareness of rare diseases", stressing that this effort "must be targeted and continuous".
"Knowing that access to adequate medical expertise and pharmacotherapies, as well as to quality health and welfare services is an inalienable right for every citizen, the Government will continue to do its utmost until the full vindication and rehabilitation of patients with rare diseases," he said, addressing the representatives of the Pancyprian Alliance for Rare Diseases.
He pointed out that under the General Health Plan, "a major achievement of the present administration," he said, "chronic and rare patients can enjoy universal and equal access to health services without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money."
On behalf of the President of the Republic, he thanked the Pancyprian Alliance of Rare Diseases for the work it carries out, aiming to ensure a dignified and quality life for people with rare diseases in Cyprus and assured that the State supports the struggle to improve the quality of life of our fellow human beings suffering from rare diseases.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
