We are here again this year, together with our friends from the Pancyprian Alliance for Rare Diseases, to celebrate the International Rare Disease Day.
This day was established by the European Organization for Rare Diseases in 2008 and since then it is celebrated on the last day of February every year.
As the Presidency of the Republic, we join the global effort to raise awareness for rare diseases by illuminating the Presidential Palace in blue today.
The effort to raise awareness and inform the public about rare diseases and their multiple and multidimensional consequences in the lives of more than 60 thousand of our compatriots must be targeted and continuous.
I would like to express my warm congratulations and thanks, both to the President of the Republic and to me personally, to the Pancyprian Alliance for Rare Diseases for the very important work it is doing, aiming to ensure a dignified and quality life for people with rare diseases in Cyprus.
I assure you that as a State we stand by your side in the struggle to improve the quality of life of our fellow human beings suffering from rare diseases.
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.
Under the General Health Plan, a major achievement of this administration, chronic and rare patients can enjoy universal and equitable access to health services without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money. At the same time, through the Plan, the process of free choice of doctor/nursing and other health professionals is facilitated.
In conclusion, I congratulate you once again for your great work and assure you again that the Government will stand by you, as it should, to safeguard the rights of rare patients.
(PM/MG)
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