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It is with great pleasure that I received your invitation to speak at the 7th Cyprus Healthcare Conference. I welcome your initiative and congratulate you for the very interesting and timely topic focusing on the "General Healthcare System and the path towards an equitable and universal system.
The past decade has been a decisive one in terms of health reforms, with the economic crisis highlighting gaps and weaknesses in the functioning of services. After great efforts, on 1 June 2019, Phase 1 of the General Health System for outpatient care was implemented. Subsequently, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phase 2 was implemented in 2020 for inpatient care, public Accident and Emergency Departments, services of other Health Professionals, nurses and preventive dentistry. The care services for the Cypriot citizen have increased and now include, among others, long-term, palliative, rehabilitation and home care.
Today, we are proud of the General Health System, the biggest reform since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, which in a few days - on 1 June 2024, will be 5 years old. Since the introduction of the General Health Care System, according to European Commission figures, in 2023. [*]Unmet healthcare needs are extremely low, 0.1%, for both low-income and high-income households. [*]Overall availability of services increased and waiting times, which were the main barrier to access, decreased, [*]There was an increase in the volume of care provided and procedures scheduled, particularly after the pandemic. [/LIST]
The health policy of the Ministry of Health is governed by the fundamental principle that health as a social good is the responsibility of the state. Our aim is to ensure the basic right of every citizen to enjoy high levels of health. We understand the rapid developments in technology, the changing needs of the ageing population, and recognise the challenges that greatly affect the health sector.
Friends,
In today's complex public health landscape, few challenges are as prominent as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This multifaceted issue not only poses a direct threat to individual health, but also has an impact on healthcare systems and global economies. According to a recent study by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - ECDC, the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in Cyprus in the years 2022-2023 is the highest in the European Union (13.8% compared to the lowest 3% and the EU average of 7%), and there is also a high misuse of antibiotics. The Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health, as the competent authority, has strengthened its actions on the issue with:
[*]The reconstitution of the National Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, the Antibiotic Advisory Committee, the Central Committee for the Control and Monitoring of Hospital Acquired Infections, and the establishment of the Nurses Sub-Committee on Infection Control to update eight (8) existing and develop/write another (eight)8 Clinical Guidelines. [*]The updating of existing and the development/writing of new National Action Plans. [*]The design and implementation of an Electronic Platform for the surveillance of antibiotic consumption within hospitals and the monitoring of hospital-acquired infections. [*]The planning for the inclusion in the relevant legislation of a provision for the operation of Local Infection Control Committees in all hospitals. [*]The organization of educational programmes, workshops, information campaigns to strengthen the knowledge of citizens and health professionals on the subject. [*]Participation in research projects and surveillance networks of the European Union. [*]Cooperation with the Health Insurance Agency to monitor the prescription of antibiotics in outpatient health care and provide feedback to providers.
Another challenge identified as a key limitation to the potential of the health system is the shortage of human resources. In particular, the number of nurses is much lower than the European Union average. The issue is assessed by the Nursing Services Directorate of the Ministry, which has developed cooperation with all nursing bodies and designed and implemented a series of actions including. [*]Organised educational campaign with the creation of a TV and radio spot on the nursing and midwifery profession, which will take place this June. [*]Discussions with academic institutions with a view to increasing the number of places in university nursing schools and granting a number of scholarships to prospective students. [/LIST]
Here I would like to emphasize that, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted further challenges in the health sector and needs for recovery and resilience of the health system. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Health Insurance Agency and the Health Insurance Corporation, has made a number of investments and reforms in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan aimed at increasing the efficiency, accessibility and overall resilience of the system through specific measures and policies.
These investments and reforms have already started to be implemented and include the establishment of the National Centre for Clinical Documentation and accreditation of healthcare services, upgrading of medical technology and medical devices in hospitals, development of digitalized solutions to support quality of care, and development of an innovative public health information system in the overall framework of communicable disease surveillance and control and pandemic preparedness.[/ AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY FOR A MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF PATIENTS IN THE EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES RELATED TO OUTPATIENT CARE.
Finally, our current priority is undoubtedly the area of mental health. According to estimates by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, in 2019, one in six people in Cyprus (17.2%) had a mental health problem, slightly higher than the EU average (16.7%).
Therefore, the Ministry of Health, among its priorities, has set the development of the National Strategy for Mental Health and actions covering destigmatisation, prevention, treatment and reintegration. Through the Strategic Plan, systematic information, enlightenment and public awareness on mental health issues are also promoted, while the creation of new structures for the therapeutic management of people with mental illnesses will be launched. It is important to mention that the Directorate of Nursing Services, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and with municipalities, has implemented the "Exelixis" programme, which aims to promote mental health and prevent addictions in the community. The program provides mental empowerment services in elementary schools, high schools, summer schools and school camps.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that the Ministry of Health is focused on continued investment in health and addressing environmental determinants of health. At a time marked by radical changes in lifestyle and new challenges for the health system, we look forward to the active participation and support of all stakeholders for the success of this effort.
With these thoughts, I warmly congratulate you and wish you every success and continuity in the work of your conference.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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