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It is with great pleasure that I participate and address this evening's event organised by the Pancyprian Thalassaemia Association, as part of the celebrations for its 50 years of successful operation.
The Association started its operation in May 1973, aiming at the general care and safeguarding of the rights of people with thalassaemia, the education, social adaptation, psychological support, professional rehabilitation of the sufferers, as well as the information and awareness of the society about thalassaemia and blood donation. He has, among many other things, initiated and promoted a number of issues concerning both the improvement of health care and the full participation of people with thalassaemia in the social, economic, political and cultural life of our country. We need to work even harder. And I would like to take this opportunity tonight to congratulate all of you, the current Presidents and Members of the Boards, for your multi-level contribution and 50 years of successful presence
A contribution that is recognized by the State over time, which approaches the Association as an important partner, as is also evident from the fact that the State, the State supports and will continue to support your every effort. It is, moreover, a collective task, a common effort to promote treatment based on international protocols, the prevention, care and treatment of thalassemia.
It is precisely in this context that the National Committee for Thalassemia, in which your Association naturally participates, has been established by decision of the Council of Ministers. The National Committee is active on all axes with the main concern of improving services and ensuring the quality of life of people with thalassaemia.
At the same time, the development of the National Strategy is a milestone for the treatment of thalassaemia and other related conditions given the frequency of the disease among our population and the comparatively large number of people with thalassaemia in our country. The Strategy utilizes modern scientific approaches and expertise gained through decades of action and experience. As you can see, one of the two important pillars is prevention, a program we must maintain and strengthen.
The Council of Ministers with the establishment of the National Committee in 2018 decided at the same time to upgrade the building/property of the Nicosia Thalassaemia Centre in order to develop it into a European and, why not, an international Reference Centre. A project that has already been rolled out and we expect it to be completed very soon.
The Nicosia Centre, together with the Thalassaemia Clinics in Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, which need improvement, and the Minister knows this very well, are reference points for the management of thalassaemia in our country, which Centres have been transferred to the Organisation of State Health Services (OKSYPY) with the introduction of the General Health System, and of course we will continue to support them.
I want to assure you that the GESY is the biggest social reform that took place in our country and we must note the role of the Ministers of Health at that time, both George Pamporidis, who is here tonight, and Constantine Ioannou, who was called upon to implement this great reform, which is a priority for the Government. Despite what is said, despite what is said, despite what is heard, I want to assure you tonight that there is no question of changing the philosophy of the YESY. What we are trying to do through the evaluation of such an important reform is to further improve the services offered, including, of course, the services to you.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you once again every success in the excellent work that you have been tirelessly carrying out for 50 years and to congratulate you once again for taking the initiative to organise tonight's event.
(PM/NG)
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