The Minister of Health, Mr Michalis Hadjipandela, signed today, Friday, 15 April 2022, at the Ministry of Health, a two-year Memorandum of Cooperation with his Greek counterpart, the Minister of Health of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Thanos Plevris. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in the framework of the Ministry of Health's policy to further deepen its cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Greece and the Cooperation Agreement in the field of Health and Medical Science signed in 1987.
The Memorandum, which aims to develop and offer quality health services to the citizens of both countries, includes, among other actions, the exchange of good practices and know-how for the upgrading of primary health care services of the Greek and Cypriot governments. Finally, the identification of educational needs and training of the executives of the two Ministries with the aim of more efficient organization and optimization of procedures and methods for the development of health services for the citizens of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus.
For the implementation of the actions of the Memorandum, a Permanent Cooperation Committee is established, headed on behalf of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus by the Director General Dr. Christina Giannaki and with the representation of the Ministry of Health of Greece headed by Mr. Marios Themistokleous, Secretary General of Primary Health Care,
At the same time, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health (I.Y&Y.D.Y.) and the National Organization of Public Health of Greece (E.O.D.Y.) for cooperation in the field of public health.
The common objective between the two parties involved is to form a common front in the protection of public health in both countries, and to develop and strengthen scientific cooperation between the two countries on issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Hadjipandela said in a statement after the signing ceremony that the visit of his Greek counterpart "confirms our determination and sincere commitment to further develop the strong bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation we have developed." "Today," he added, "we can be proud of building an excellent bilateral relationship, which is constantly being strengthened and upgraded, as demonstrated by today's signing of the important Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministries of Health."
For his part, Plevris said: "It is with great pleasure that we are here to launch a new, more institutionalized cooperation in the health sector." Mr Plevris added that the Memorandum of Understanding has a more holistic approach in order to exchange common practices in the field of primary health care, but has correspondingly important funds in the field of hospital infections and surveillance, as well as in the field of pharmaceutical expenditure.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for an exchange of expertise in the field of surveillance and control of infectious diseases, with frequent and direct communication between the staff of the respective departments, as well as cooperation in the planning and implementation of strategies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for an exchange of expertise in the field of surveillance and control of infectious diseases.
