AKEL on World Health Day
6 April 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
On the occasion of World Health Day, AKEL extends its greetings of appreciation and gratitude to all those who, with diligence and a profound sense of responsibility, are fighting to ensure our fellow citizen’s health and who are defending this most precious of goods, underlining the necessity of the existence of quality health care for all.
The experience over the last few years concerning the pandemic at a global level and the operation of the National Health Scheme (NHS) domestically, has shown that the existence and provision of quality health care makes the existence of a strong public health system imperative, as well as the implementation of simultaneous policies promoting prevention and social welfare, elements that presuppose/require a strong welfare state.
Social as well as health inequalities in the field of health have no place in a welfare state and the restoration of one restores the other and contributes to the healing and healthy lifestyle of people. Social justice in health can only be achieved through the operation of a human-centred, universal and equitable public health system.
The necessity of having fully-equipped, strongly backed and staffed public hospitals that are guardians of public health, and have the most central role in the public health system, has never been more evident than now. Today everyone accepts, and the global experience of the pandemic and operation of similar types of health systems has demonstrated this, that we are in need of a bigger welfare state, especially in the area of health, public hospitals and social services.
The Left views health according to the fundamental principle that defines it as a social good, which states have the obligation to provide for their citizens. The way in which health is managed, but also the level of citizens’ relationship with it, demonstrates in the most decisive way the level of social justice, but also levels of civilisation of societies. For AKEL, the provision of health services is a right and not a privilege for the select few. In today’s social conditions, the preservation of gains and especially the safeguarding of the rights of all to health care is more than necessary.
AKEL will continue to struggle for the further upgrading and strengthening of the health sector in Cyprus and the solution of the problems it faces. Furthermore, AKEL will continue to back the public health system as the necessary backbone of the health services provided in our country.
