The government’s goal is that the health care system created for the benefit of citizens should remain resilient and accessible to all, the Presidency of the Republic, said on Wednesday, marking three years since the implementation of the General Health System (GESY).
The Presidency describes today as a historic day for the Cypriot society, noting that GESY is the greatest social reform since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.
With the implementation of GESY, it is noted, medical facilities have been upgraded, actions and policies have been implemented, which focus on the patient and their needs, a resilient health system has been created, accessible to all.
The total budget of the Ministry of Health, it says, has increased by 79% since 2013, which is evidence of the political will and determination of the government and President Nicos Anastasiades personally to support the health sector.
it is further noted that there are significant benefits to citizens also in terms of expenditure on medicines, with an 85% reduction in money spent on medicines, while a 295% increase in surgeries was also recorded.
According to the Presidency, the Health Insurance Organisation’s spending on care services for the years 2020-2022 amounts to 3.5 billion euros. Modernisation and upgrading projects were carried out in hospitals, 13 new ambulance stations were created, significantly reducing the waiting time of patients, as well as an ambulance coordination centre, which operates on a nationwide basis.
At the same time, it adds, the government is planning other actions, some of which are included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan “Cyprus – Tomorrow” and a total of 81 million euros will be allocated through the “Cyprus – Tomorrow” Plan.
“GESY is shielded by strengthening the supervision and control of the health system, the implementation of e-Health for all is being rolled out, infrastructure is being upgraded and modernised, such as the creation of a Unit for the Treatment of Communicable Diseases, the creation of a First Aid Department for children at Makarios Hospital and the construction of a new mental health hospital,” the press release continues.
The creation of new blood centre facilities and the expansion and establishment of dialysis units to cover all cities are also in the pipeline, it is noted, as well as the provision of specialised care for children.
Source: Cyprus News Agency