By Achilleas Dimitriadis
In my "Outline of Positions" for the 2023 presidential elections, I underline that "I support the philosophy of the GESY and focus on its continuous upgrading and improvement to meet the high standards of quality health services".
The evolution of the GHS is a crucial factor for its further advancement. My assessment is related to the expectations that every citizen should have of the GESY.
For two reasons. That is why I see the contribution of the government as positive and also the contribution of the opposition parties as positive in order to have a GPS.
The crucial issue is the improvement of the GPS. That is why I propose four measures based on international practice and three years of experience from the implementation of the FTA.
1. Give priority to long-term patients and the elderly. More convergence is needed with their needs in terms of medicines (including innovative ones) and waiting time.
2. The health services offered should be subject to quality monitoring (medical audit/ clinical audit). This objective will raise the services provided by the GHS to the benefit of the patient.
3. The overall Health Regulatory Framework has gaps and medical protocols, standards and procedures are needed. With a comprehensive framework there will be a fair distribution of roles between public and private hospitals to complement each other.
4. Transparency is about rational allocation of resources. The issue of abuse is well known. We have legislation and it must be enforced.
In its evolution, the introduction of new services and medicines and the shift to better quality, the GHS will need more funding. Its expenditure is already projected to increase by 50% by 2024 compared to its first full year of operation. They will reach almost €1.5 billion.
Securing stable funding for the PPS is a crucial issue. This is linked both to the autonomy of state hospitals and their corresponding modernisation. At the moment, the contributions of citizens and businesses for the SHI are coming in, and there are very significant additional expenditures from the state budget. I do not see sufficient steps being taken in these areas.
In conclusion, I argue that the GESY is an important achievement of our people. Health is a right whose safeguarding should be constitutionally guaranteed.
Because Cyprus deserves better!
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
