Multiple benefits from Gesy despite flaws, patients’ association says

The national health scheme (Gesy) may have deficiencies but offers multiple benefits, the federation of Cyprus patients’ associations (Osak) said on Tuesday on the occasion of the scheme’s two-year anniversary.

Osak described Gesy as “the biggest reform in the Republic of Cyprus”, despite the expected shortcomings and deficiencies.

The pandemic showed the multiple benefits and the usefulness of the scheme which serves people universally and equally, the association said.

No one expected Cyprus to acquire a national health scheme, which was introduced in May 2019, thanks to the pioneers who fought for its establishment, including organised patients, it added.

The association highlighted the contribution of former Minister of Health, George Pamporidis, as well as the current Minister of Health, Constantinos Ioannou.

In his own statements to mark the second anniversary of the scheme, Ioannou tweeted that Gesy, “a vision of decades” is “a conquest for Cypriots of which we are proud”.

The scheme introduced the institution of a personal doctor for minors and adults and provides medicines as cheap as one euro through private pharmacies.

“At the same time, patients have access to expensive drugs for the treatment of specialised health issues,” Osak added.

The electronic medical file is being promoted.

Δύο χρόνια #ΓεΣΥ. Η προστασία της υγείας ήταν και πάντα θα είναι η απάντηση για μια καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής. pic.twitter.com/mbxamVtbDo

— Γραφείο Τύπου και Πληροφοριών (@PIOcy) June 1, 2021

The association said it will continue to fight for the improvement of the scheme, “maintaining the anthropocentric approach and philosophy”.

Since its introduction, more than 836,000 beneficiaries visited their personal doctor, 685,000 have purchased medicines through the scheme, and another 604,000 carried out lab tests. Another 81,000 people received inpatient care.

More than 70 per cent of health professionals in Cyprus provide their services through the scheme while 88 per cent of clinics participate in Gesy and 99 per cent of pharmacies nationwide.