A legislative dispute dating back almost four years between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health seems to be resurfacing.
The establishment of a National Ambulance Authority seems to be entangled in the complexities of a “transitional phase.”
The Presidential Office reportedly leans towards keeping the ambulance service under the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY), a position supported by the Ministry of Finance.
Additionally, there is a proposal for the appointment of an “Ambulance Commissioner” within the Ministry of Health, aligning with a previous bill submitted by the previous government in February 2020 but rejected.
Negotiations have been underway to convince the Minister of Health to amend the drafted bill, which envisions the operation of an ambulance authority under its jurisdiction.
Over the past weeks, efforts have also been made to persuade the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations to agree to keeping the ambulance service under OKYPY, with the prospect of establishing a National Ambulance Authority at a later stage.
Notably, the recent statement by the federation emphasized the demand for an “independent authority” and clarified its non-acceptance of merely transferring the current ambulance service to the Ministry of Health.
The proposed solution by the Presidential Office seems uncertain in terms of acceptance by parliamentary parties and social partners.
However, there is a possibility of a shift in stance from parties that support the government.
Notably, a previous attempt by the Ministry of Health, with a bill presented to the Parliament on January 24, 2020, failed to gain traction.
The bill did not explicitly propose the establishment of a national authority but suggested the formation of an Advisory Committee within the Ministry of Health, an Ambulance Fund, and the appointment of an Ambulance Commissioner.
This bill was discussed in the parliamentary Health Committee on February 27, 2020. Following reactions from participants during the session, the Ministry of Health was urged to continue consultations to incorporate provisions related to the establishment of a national authority, following international standards.
Due to the pandemic and the restrictive measures imposed, the bill, like many others, was shelved.
The issue was revisited in the parliamentary Health Committee on October 14, 2021, while the Ministry of Health was still engaged in consultations with stakeholders.
During this session, the Ministry of Health mentioned the inclusion of the ambulance service under OKYPY, suggesting it as a transitional stage until a study is conducted, costs are assessed, and a bill for the establishment of a National Authority is prepared.
In September 2022, after a meeting at the Ministry of Health, it was confirmed that most stakeholders in the dialogue insisted on the operation of an independent authority, with OKYPY supporting the retention of the ambulance service under its authority.
The next public discussion on the matter took place in late February 2022 when the then Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, had stated that before leaving the Ministry, he would submit the bill to Parliament.
However, this did not materialize.
With the change in government and the assumption of duties by the current Minister of Health, Popi Kanari, a draft text was formulated after capturing the positions of all social partners.
Towards the end of the summer of 2023, it was sent to the Ministry of Finance, awaiting the necessary approvals, which have not been granted to date.
The draft bill includes provisions for the transfer of the ambulance service from OKYPY to the Ministry of Health.
As reproted by Phileleftheros, the bill has stalled due to economic concerns raised by the Ministry of Finance, expressing fears about the sustainability of OKYPY if it loses revenue from the Health Insurance Organization (OAY) for the services provided under the General Health System (GESY).
Moreover, the Ministry of Finance has argued that the transfer of the ambulance service to the Ministry of Health would impose additional costs on state funds.
The disagreement between the two ministries persists, despite official and unofficial meetings between them.
On November 4, it was disclosed that the President of the Republic had requested the two ministers to submit their positions for him to make the necessary decisions.
The resolution to this long-standing dispute remains uncertain, awaiting the President’s decision.
