The cabinet approved a National Blood Strategy on Wednesday to modernise Cyprus’s blood services, paving the way for a new framework for how the system is organised, managed and supervised.
Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said the strategy would promote a modern, digitised and resilient system that ensures enough safe, high-quality blood and blood products, in line with European and international standards.
The strategy is built on five pillars: managing blood stocks and needs, organising services, haemovigilance, quality and supervision, and innovation and digitalisation. It places particular emphasis on encouraging voluntary blood donation, using blood rationally and ensuring patients have timely and equal access to the services they need.
A committee will be set up to monitor the strategy’s implementation, assess progress and help resolve any difficulties. It will include representatives of the Health Ministry, the Blood Centre, the blood banks, the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals, the Cyprus Haematology Society and the Federation of Patients’ Associations of Cyprus.
The aim is to implement the planned measures effectively, with the cooperation of everyone involved, Charalambides said.
Neurology institute
In a separate decision, the cabinet approved the appointment of new board members to the Muscular Dystrophy Research Foundation, which directs and oversees the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. The institute carries out scientific research and provides specialised health services.
Charalambides described the institute as one of the most important pillars of scientific research and specialised healthcare in Cyprus, stressing the importance of its smooth running and of further strengthening its work.
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