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It is with great pleasure that I, in turn, welcome you to tonight's event, which takes place in the context of the general activities of TELETHON 2023, an institution established in our country since 1994 by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and the Cyprus Myelopathy Association. An institution that has been activating, for 29 years now, the sensitivities of our society and substantially supports those in need. And we are proud, Ladies and Gentlemen, because the awareness of our people towards the suffering of our fellow human beings and the selfless effort to collect financial aid is strengthened year after year. It strengthens and offers practical support to patients with neurological and genetic diseases, as well as funding research projects conducted by scientists of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING).
In a modern state, health and especially access to quality health services is inextricably intertwined with the quality of life, which as a state, as the government of the country, is our main concern and top priority.
The practical implementation of one of the biggest reforms in our country and the most important one in the health sector, the introduction of the GESY on 1 June 2019, undoubtedly opened new horizons in the provision of health care. Through an inclusive, universal, functional, efficient and economically viable system, the access of all our citizens to high quality health services is ensured. As with all major reforms, challenges and problems arise, as is to be expected, in the case of the GHS, and in this context and with the key objective of enhancing the quality of the services offered, the main objective and pursuit of our governance is the further modernisation of the system.
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, which from the very first moment stood by the citizens, by the patients, through the GESY, has managed during these 33 years of its existence and offer, to receive international recognition and to play an essential role as a regional centre of research and excellence, offering high quality services and education in the scientific and social events of Cyprus.
The multi-level work of the Institute is known to all of us, either through the medical care it provides to patients or through its pioneering research and postgraduate education programmes. And of course special mention should also be made of the Institute's decisive contribution to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, without overlooking the contribution and cooperation it provides in other areas, such as our missing persons tracing programme.
I would like to take this opportunity tonight to assure you that we will continue, as a State, to substantially support the Institute of Neurology and your very worthy work.
At the same time, I could not fail to mention the Cyprus Myopathy Association which, since its foundation in 1986, has embraced as its members children and adults from all over Cyprus suffering from diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and motor neuron diseases.
The actions of the Association are the best example of the practical contribution and benefit that volunteerism, operating on an organized basis, can bring to modern society.
We are well aware that muscle diseases cause multiple problems on an individual and family level, increasing the cost of living of myopaths, creating the need for the provision of quality social care services, accompaniment, supply of technological equipment, psychosocial support and socialization.
I assure you that, as a State, we stand by your side, we approach you as partners and the issues of vulnerable groups of the population and people with disabilities are high on our priorities. Among our main objectives is through our actions to achieve the fight against social exclusion and the empowerment of people with disabilities so that they remain active and fully integrated members of our society.
Tonight's concert is a tribute to Maria Callas, the leading soprano of the lyric theatre.
Everyone's presence at tonight's event is a clear indication of your support for the Genetics Institute and the Myopathic Association.
(PM/IS)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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