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It is with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to address the 20th Pancyprian Congress of Delegates of the Pancyprian Disability Rehabilitation Organization (P.O.A.A.). Disability rehabilitation is an important health sector which requires continuous efforts and innovations.
The Pancyprian Disability Rehabilitation Organization is the largest in number of members, a member of the Cyprus Confederation of Disability Organizations (CYSOA). Since its foundation in 1966 until today it has been working on a voluntary basis and focuses on achieving its objectives, the main one being the promotion of the demands of persons with disabilities (PWD) for the safeguarding of their rights. At the same time, through the United Nations International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, attempts are made to correct distortions and recommendations are made to Member States to create conditions and services to serve, protect and improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. The Convention reinforces the right to equal access to facilities and services including medical care.
Friends,
The issues of persons with disabilities are high on our priorities. Our goal is to empower their role in society, highlight their potential, equal opportunities and equal participation in all areas of life, including the health sector.
With the introduction of the General Health System (GHS) on 1 June 2019, the services offered to people with disabilities have been upgraded and modernised.
With the introduction of the General Health System (GHS) on 1 June 2019, the services offered to people with disabilities have been upgraded and modernised. The System is universal and provides comprehensive health care to all beneficiaries and by extension to persons with disabilities regardless of their financial capacity or any other discrimination. A lot has been done but there is much more to be done such as strengthening home support for people with disabilities with qualified specialists (psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses, physiotherapists) who help to cope with everyday life.
We have a duty to apply the principles of equality, respect for diversity, dignity, accessibility, participation and inclusion in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that the Republic of Cyprus ratified in 2011. This is why the Ministry of Health in the new Bills it is preparing for Public and Private Hospitals, Clinics and Dentistry makes special reference to the accessibility of persons with disabilities. Also, the Ministry of Health has submitted the Bill on Rehabilitation to the Parliament from June 2023.
Therefore, additional measures with holistic actions for the full integration and support of persons with disabilities are already underway, keeping our commitments for the next five years. Several new actions and measures are recorded in the National Disability Strategy 2018-2028 and the National Disability Action Plan 2021-2023.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Pancyprian Disability Rehabilitation Organization for the remarkable work it is doing to support people with disabilities. Organized voluntary action in Cyprus has been transformed into a fulfillment of moral responsibility, developing such dynamics that makes it a key complement of the welfare state, recognizing and highlighting the multifaceted and significant role that organized groups can play through their actions in modern societies.
Dear Sirs,
I bow to people with disabilities who teach us much about human resilience and willpower. Regardless of the challenges they face, they maintain their dignity, demonstrate solidarity and have a high bar of empathy. The State has a duty to highlight such attitudes, because cohesive societies that thrive are based on social solidarity and selfless volunteering.
The Ministry of Health aims to create an environment where the dignity, well-being and integration of disabled people into society is a priority. This can be done with the support of voluntary organised groups where together we can build a value system that honours people in a society of equality and equal opportunities. Concluding my speech, I congratulate the organizers, I wish every success in the work of your conference and I hope that your results will be sent to me for use in the policies of the Ministry of Health.
(EATH)
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