Though the results of this passing year in the Health sector may not yet be visible, several long-overdue initiatives have finally been implemented.
However, many issues remain unresolved, and a major failing of the state has been the absence of care services for people, especially the elderly, who, while not requiring hospitalisation, still need nursing, medical and other support.
Among the year’s major achievements is the completion of several draft bills which, once enacted, will help complete the health sector reform and significantly strengthen the GHS.
Some bills have been submitted to Parliament, others are with the Legal Service, and some are undergoing public consultation. The major challenge, of course, is getting them passed by Parliament.
The advancement of procedures for establishing the National Clinical Documentation Centre is another positive development, paving the way for proper monitoring and evaluation of services received by Cypriot patients.
Another plus is the collective agreement reached between public hospital workers and the State Health Services Organisation. While this won’t entirely eliminate the threat of strikes at state hospitals, it’s still a positive development.
Also positive is the transfer of specialised medicines from the Ministry of Health to the Health Insurance Organisation. Let’s hope the Organisation will manage to serve patients properly, preventing abuse while ensuring no one who truly needs medication is denied it.
Another positive is the unified voice of patients and doctors. The Federation of Patients’ Associations and the Medical Association are now fighting together on specific issues after years of disagreement, mainly over the GHS.
Cyprus’s proposal to the EU for cheaper new medicines is another positive development. Let’s hope our partners will adopt it.
As for the negatives, there are many. The continuous financial demands from public sector doctors who closed hospitals for two days, the overflowing medicine warehouses, the delay in integrating overseas patient referral services into the GHS (expected in coming months), the blanket restrictions in the System which burden both patients and doctors, the failure to establish an independent Ambulance Authority or independent Crisis Management Service, and many more.
It’s a disgrace for the State that another year ends without Cyprus providing for people needing care in their homes. For decades, we’ve limited ourselves to a benefits policy that falls far short of patients’ actual needs, especially the elderly.
The fragmented provision of services by nurses, physiotherapists, doctors etc., with serious restrictions through the GHS, doesn’t solve the problem. Neither does subsidising stays in long-term care centres or nursing homes.
Every person deserves to receive what they need while staying at home with their loved ones, without compromising their dignity.
My message to the President, the Minister of Health, and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare: Make it a priority in 2025 to look after people, especially the elderly, who need health care and other support in their homes.
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