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- Русский
The establishment and implementation of the General Health System (GHS) is a key institution of the welfare state for equal and universal access to health services. It is the cornerstone for the modernisation of the health sector, the fundamental principle for upgrading and optimising health services, the basis for the pursuit of quality.
In every country, the health system and the policies implemented around it are of paramount importance for the well-being of a people and their quality of life. In the governance programme of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, the health sector is one of the most important policy pillars that constitute for the Ministry of Health, the core of the people-centred development model we envision to achieve. It is a fact that in the last decade health systems have faced increasing challenges: rising health care costs and chronic disease care in the ageing population, shortages of health professionals and inequalities in access to health care. As a consequence, health systems must be resilient: able to adapt to meet new and emerging needs in a changing environment in order to deliver services with efficiency, safety and quality.
Recognizing these enormous challenges, the Ministry of Health has set among its main strategic priorities the upgrading, reorganization and modernization of hospitals. One of the main pillars is the provision of modern and innovative medical equipment, which, due to the rapid evolution of technology, must be constantly upgraded and renewed, which is becoming costly for hospitals.
Towards the upgrading of hospitals, the Ministry of Health has set a goal to provide financial incentives in the form of government sponsorship to hospitals through the "Hospital Medical Technology Equipment Subsidy Scheme". The Scheme, aims to purchase new medical technology equipment, with an emphasis on the purchase of high or digital technology. It aims to subsidise medical equipment, either for the replacement of existing, possibly obsolete equipment or to meet additional needs. Through the Plan, it seeks in particular to strengthen competitiveness and upgrade health services, in line with the broader objectives of the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The Plan has a budget of EUR 5 million and is tailored to ensure that patients have access to quality health services through the use of innovative medical devices. It will be funded by the central "Next Generation EU" instrument, through which 133 investment and reform measures are being promoted which reflect the Republic of Cyprus' comprehensive plan to strengthen the resilience of the economy. In particular, the policy axis under the title "Public Health and Civil Protection - Lessons from the Pandemic", with a budget of €74.1 million, includes measures that will contribute to increasing the preparedness, resilience and quality of services of the General Health System. Therefore, it adapted the Plan to allow beneficiaries to receive funding for up to three (3) different investment proposals under two schemes of Regulation 1407/2013 (De Minimis) and Regulation 651/2014 (General Exemption).
For companies that will choose to receive funding under the De Minimis Regulation, the grant amount is. [*]30% of the eligible costs in the case of purchase of new/new medical equipment to replace existing equipment. [/LIST]
In this case, the maximum amount of the grant is EUR 200.00.
For enterprises that will opt for funding under the General Exemption Regulation, for the purchase of new/new Medical Technology Equipment in order to cover additional needs, the amount of the grant is:
- 20% of the eligible costs in the case of small enterprises.
- 10% of eligible costs in the case of medium-sized enterprises.
In this case, the maximum amount of the grant is 300.00 euros, with the limitation that the replacement of existing equipment cannot be considered an eligible expenditure.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The journey towards the upgrading of Health Services within the framework of a functional, sustainable and quality GHS does not stop with the "Medical Technology Equipment Grant Scheme", which is before you today.
The journey towards the upgrading of Health Services within the framework of a functional, sustainable and quality GHS, does not stop with the "Medical Technology Equipment Grant Scheme", which is before you today. Very soon you will be informed about the "Scheme for Provision of Government Grants to Private and Public Hospitals for Accreditation". Another sponsorship project that will offer the possibility of upgrading and documenting the quality of health services provided in our country.
By strengthening hospitals, our intention is to ensure a health system that respects and meets the needs of the patient and meets the expectations of citizens for the provision of quality services. In this context, the Ministry of Health will continue to identify existing and future needs in order to create the conditions for providing a high, qualitative and efficient level of health services, as well as the adoption of best practices as befits nursing homes that follow modern, European standards.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not thank the Directorate General of Development, the Director of Recovery and Resilience and all the officials involved for their support to the Ministry. The ultimate goal is for all of us, through our actions, to act as custodians of an upgraded General Health System.
(DK)
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