Nicosia: The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has welcomed the findings and recommendations of a World Health Organization (WHO) Europe report titled 'Strengthening Primary Health Care and Reducing Overprovision of Low-Value Specialist Care: Policy Options for Cyprus', describing it as an important contribution to the continued development of the General Healthcare System (GeSY).
According to Cyprus News Agency, the HIO stated in a press release that the report was prepared as part of a WHO technical assistance project coordinated by the Ministry of Health. It was developed in close cooperation with the Organisation and was based, among other sources, on HIO data covering the period from 2020 to 2024.
The Organisation noted that it had already initiated reforms consistent with the report's recommendations. These include the introduction of quality indicators, clinical guidelines, linking provider payments to quality criteria, and enhancing monitoring through data analysis and artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, the HIO highlighted that the report's recommendations align with its strategic planning and reaffirm the importance of continuous evaluation, evidence-based policymaking, and international best practices. It is also implementing additional measures, with a particular focus on strengthening the role of Personal Doctors, improving primary healthcare services, and ensuring more efficient use of healthcare resources.