April 7 has been established as World Health Day in honour of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Health is recognised as a fundamental right of every human being and the celebration of this day aims to raise public awareness of important health issues. This year's anniversary is dedicated to achieving the goal of "Health for All", while commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the WHO and focusing on the continuous improvement of public health. It is also an opportunity to recognise the important role played by health professionals, encouraging and supporting their work, as they are the foundation of any health system.
To achieve the Health for All goal, universal access to health services is essential. Therefore, all people should have easy and immediate access to quality and affordable health care, without any kind of racial, ethnic or religious discrimination, especially for vulnerable groups. To promote health for all, it is important that all countries work together and promote prevention, medical research and innovation in healthcare.
Undoubtedly, recent years have seen a period of unprecedented difficulties for health systems worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic, migratory flows, climate change, economic crisis and war are creating significant barriers to people's equitable access to health services. But despite these challenges, public health, as the ultimate good, must be safeguarded, defended and secured. WHO provides ongoing support to all countries for key public health functions related to evaluation, policy development, resource allocation and access. In addition, it assists in strengthening health systems, in particular for prevention, detection, assessment, and response to public health events.
In Cyprus, in line with WHO recommendations, the goal of equitable and universal access to health services is being achieved from 2019 with the introduction of the General Health System. Through the GHC, beneficiaries have a choice of health care provider, without age and income restrictions and regardless of the severity of their condition. Particularly in the difficult circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the operation of an organised Health System contributed greatly to the management of the health crisis.
The Ministry of Health promotes prevention and protection of public health through targeted interventions. Among other things, it monitors compulsory notifiable diseases, is alert to the early detection and response to new and emerging infectious diseases, epidemics and pandemics, draws up action plans to deal with health crises, implements vaccination programmes for children and adults, draws up and implements national action plans for infectious and chronic diseases and promotes information actions for the public and health professionals.
Cyprus actively participates in European and international organisations such as the European Centre for Disease Control and Surveillance (ECDC) and the WHO, harmonising its actions with European and global guidelines. At the same time, Cyprus has entered into transnational agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with States and Organisations for cooperation on health issues and the exchange of expertise
It is important to create a society where health is a priority and everyone has access to safe, effective and affordable healthcare. The Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to address the health challenges of today and tomorrow. Health is not just about living disease-free, but also about achieving a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
(DK)
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