Introductory Speech by the General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou in the discussion on the health sector with organised bodies of health professionals/workers

 

 

 

Introductory Speech by the General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou in the discussion on the health sector with organised bodies of health professionals/workers

13th May 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

First of all, I would like to express once again the gratitude of the Central Committee of AKEL to all the health workers and professionals who have been giving their all for more than a year now to confront the pandemic. On the occasion of International Nurses Day on 12/5/2021, I’d like to express AKEL’s gratitude to all the nurses for their invaluable services. We strongly believe that the state must strengthen nursing care which is interconnected with the improvement in the quality of the public health system.

The provision of quality health care demands the existence of a strong health system, as well as parallel policies for prevention and social welfare, elements that presuppose and constitute a robust welfare state.

The prevention of illnesses and the existence of a welfare state are interrelated aspects of physical, mental and social health, essential elements for people and society.

In our country the pandemic has functioned as a magnifying glass. It has highlighted the inadequacies, weaknesses and shortcomings of public hospitals, but also of the Health System itself. Rich and poor ran to the public hospital for therapy with the outbreak of COVID-19.

The current health crisis, as well as the conditions of economic inequality prevailing in Cyprus, answered the political question as to whether we need a better welfare state or not – especially in the field of health, public hospitals and social services. It was something that was more than evident.

On June 1, 2019, after clashes, political hesitation, indecisiveness and regressions, but also following the deliberate downgrading of the public health sector imposed by the Anastasiades/DISY government, the implementation of the single-insurance National Health Scheme (NHS) began. The NHS was implemented because, among other things, AKEL fought resolutely and backed its implementation, both inside and outside parliament.

The course of the NHS so far confirms the immense need Cypriot society and especially people on low and middle incomes have for a universal, equal and accessible health system founded on the principle of solidarity. We know that the NHS currently faces problems. For us, these problems were to be expected. Every major reform presents similar problems.

We are closely monitoring its implementation and operation and are intervening decisively to solve any problems, improve the level of services provided, continuously upgrade working conditions for health workers/professionals and to preserve the philosophy and principles on which the NHS is based on.

At the same time, it is important that the independence of the Health Insurance Organization is strengthened so as to ensure sound administration, the separation of powers and shielding from any political interference in the management of the fund. It is very important that the Health Insurance Organization is protected from any non-transparency and corruption.

For some years now, the Anastasiades/DISY government by reducing funding for the public health sector and having other priorities has been pursuing a delaying policy.

As a result of its actions, the Anastasiades/DISY government has led the public health sector to obliteration, self-disintegration, social defamation, decline and marginalization.

At the same time, the government extended the dangerous phenomenon of monopolization and sell-off of services by downgrading and dismantling respective government services (cancer services etc.). Projects that were promoted, for example with regards transplants, radiotherapy were led to their dismantling or decay.

As AKEL, we insist on pointing all this out and struggling both inside and outside Parliament to address these issues.

One may disagree with us and judge us. But one cannot deny that AKEL puts forth positions and proposals; that we see the problems and seek solutions.

In our view, quality and free public health means modernizing and reorganizing state hospitals.

It means strengthening them with all the necessary clinical and specialized units demanded, as well as upgrading their infrastructures and ensuring their complete computerization.

It means creating an Intensive Care Unit in all hospitals with the simultaneous recruitment of the necessary medical, nursing and other staff and the immediate creation of a level I trauma centre, as well as an infectious diseases ward.

It means the expansion or construction of new public hospitals, the immediate completion of the buildings of the mental illness hospital in Athalassa for the modernization of the treatment of our fellow human beings who face mental illnesses, the creation of a rehabilitation centre, Radiotherapy centres in public hospitals, as well as the creation of an epidemiological monitoring unit and a laboratory for public health and infectious diseases with their own separate structure and staff.

It means introducing and applying modern, scientifically sound clinical protocols, guidelines and systematic quality control in all hospitals in Cyprus for the protection of both patients and working people.

It means better working conditions in hospitals.

It means expanding and strengthening community nursing, community psychiatric care.

It means creating a National Medicines Agency, which will be responsible for the licensing of safe, effective and quality medicines and their monitoring after their circulation.

It means promoting the development of pharmaceutical research, innovation and industry in Cyprus and the establishment of reference centres and the elaboration of a national strategy for each group of patients and the adoption of policies for the holistic treatment of rare diseases.

It means the full operation of the Medical School that was established by the Demetris Christofias Government. The Medical School and academic Medicine should be a key factor in the continuous modernization of health, research and development, but also in the ongoing upgrading of Medicine.

Finally, we note the need for regulating through legislation the extension of financial support towards public hospitals beyond 2024 and annual state aid to public hospitals so that they maintain their preparedness for what shall be demanded in a corresponding crisis situation, to rally all essential services that may increase sharply the budget of the NHS for public hospitals and services that haven’t joined the NHS and remain in Public Hospitals.

That is precisely why we are here today. To listen to you, to discuss, to record the views of your organized groups/associations and to further improve our positions and proposals.

Our only concern is the people’s health over powerful interests.

The current tragic situation reminds us that our society must be a society founded on solidarity and strengthens AKEL’s longstanding position that health cannot and must not be a commodity, but is a right.