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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to address the Journalists' Conference organised by the Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Heart Disease on the occasion of Congenital Heart Disease Week.
First of all, I would like to welcome you and thank you for all the efforts and support you offer to children with congenital heart disease and their families.
The Ministry of Health continues its practical support to all children with congenital heart disease in Cyprus. In close cooperation with physicians contracted to the General Health System, it ensures that all children, beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the General Health System, who have indications and findings that require cardiac assessment, have free access to the services of paediatric cardiologists.
It ensures that these children receive the proper and high quality care to which they are entitled. The State shall ensure that any child with congenital heart disease requiring surgery is transferred abroad or operated on by a Team of Doctors coming from abroad, in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Health shall at the same time strengthen efforts for the early diagnosis of congenital heart disease in schoolchildren, through the School Medical Service Officers and the screening programme of the Medical Examination carried out in schools.
As part of the activities of the School Medical Service, questionnaires are given to pupils in specific classes, which are completed by parents, in order to collect information on the pupil's personal and family history, which also helps to identify children with an increased predisposition to congenital heart disease.
School Medical Officers also contribute to the proper and safe management of children with congenital heart disease within the school setting, by properly informing teachers of any exercise restrictions where these are deemed necessary by their paediatric cardiologists. By properly informing and educating students and physical education teachers, we ensure that these children are encouraged to participate in activities wherever possible, always considering the benefit to their physical and mental health.
Friends,
The Ministry of Health supports and encourages events and initiatives by organized groups in our society, such as this one, that contribute to public awareness. All of us aim to ensure the best possible care and management of children with congenital heart disease in Cyprus.
I wish every success to today's conference and all other events that will follow on the occasion of Congenital Heart Disease Week.
(DK)
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