AKEL will be an obstacle to those trying to undermine the GESY

The General Secretary of AKEL had a constructive meeting with the new President of the Heath Insurance Organisation (HIO)

19 October 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

“AKEL will stand in the way of those trying to undermine the National Heath Scheme (GESY),” AKEL’s General Secretary said today in statements after a meeting at the party’s offices with the new President of the HIO Stavros Michael. Welcoming Mr. Michael, he noted that he has assumed “a huge responsibility because the HIO is leading the implementation of the National Health Scheme (GESY)”.

S.Stefanou recalled that “AKEL is a staunch supporter of the GESY and that despite being in opposition it has backed its implementation and operation and will continue to back it so that GESY continues to exist in our lives, to improve and develop it further”. He noted that he conveyed to Mr. Michael the position of AKEL “that we will continue to support this effort” and assured the HIO President that in AKEL “you will always find people with honesty, consistency and creativity in order to work together to improve and further develop the GESY. There are many things that need to be done and I am sure that with the guidance of my friend Stavros these things will be done to the benefit of the GESY which must preserve its philosophy and character, in the context of the social solidarity that must prevail, for a system that in an equal and universal way provides quality health care and covers the people”.

The General Secretary of AKEL congratulated Mr. Stavros Michael for the task he has undertaken, expressing confidence that with the experience and knowledge he has, he will be worthy of the mission entrusted to him in a collective spirit.

Replying to questions, Stefanos Stefanou noted that the role of the government of the day in defending the GESY is always very crucial. He referred to former Health Ministers who admitted that there are forces within the government and the ruling DISY party that are undermining the GESY. The General Secretary of AKEL assured that his party would continue to wage the battle both inside and outside parliament. However, he noted that it is very crucial for a government to support the GESY with all its might.  As he pointed out, “by supporting Andreas Mavroyiannis, we are precisely supporting a government that will stand in the way of any machinations to undermine the GESYS a fact that will also strengthen its future development”.