Coronavirus: Minister concerned about ‘public complacency’

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Wednesday said he was concerned about complacency following the improved epidemiological situation, calling on people to continue observing personal protection measures and vaccinate.

During a press conference to mark the two-year anniversary of the national health scheme (Gesy), the minister took the opportunity to stress the need to observe the health protocols.

“I want to convey the message that although there is euphoria that we are doing well, we are very worried about complacency,” Ioannou said. He added that this leads to non-compliance with the personal protection measures, “which we are already seeing happening, and although we are building the wall of immunity with vaccinations, the vaccination (regimen) must be completed”.

“That’s why we urge people to take the second dose, to complete the vaccination,” he said.

To a question on whether spectators would be allowed in football matches, he said that if the epidemiological situation remains the same, this will be done but with some restrictions.

“What we have learned so far from the pandemic, however, is that no planning can be done. Mutations and vaccination coverage play an important role,” he said.

To a question about the available vaccine quantities, Ioannou said are all being used.

He added that the stored AstraZeneca shots cover second doses and very few will remain for first doses. He said that from September, with expected deliveries, there will be excess quantities of all vaccines because Cyprus has ordered in total four million doses, the maximum quantity it could get.

“At the time we did not know which would be approved first or which would be effective. That is why we got what was offered to us,” Ioannou said.

He added that there is a chance that the surplus, after everyone who wishes to, will be either sent back to the EU, donated to third countries or be sold by the government.

“No decision has been made on what will happen in Cyprus, because we have not yet reached that point,” Ioannou said.

The minister also referred to the impact of the pandemic on Gesy. “Just a few months after the start of Gesy we found ourselves in the vortex of the coronavirus pandemic. Inevitably, these unprecedented conditions also affected Gesy,” Ioannou said. He referred to the issues faced as regards contributions and the “very difficult decision of whether or not to proceed with the implementation of phase two (the introduction of inpatient care)”.

“Once again we had to convince the parties involved that the benefits of starting the second phase, even in the midst of a pandemic, would outweigh the costs,” he added, which led to the introduction of inpatient care on June 1, 2020.

The minister said Gesy saved the lives of many people who, prior to its introduction, could not afford healthcare services.

Today, he added, a year after the introduction of inpatient care, a total of 54 public and private sector hospitals, 2,585 doctors, which is most the country’s medical professionals, 554 pharmacies, 149 laboratories, 615 dentists, and another 1,077 health professionals of various specialties, are offering their services through Gesy to more than 892,000 beneficiaries throughout Cyprus.

What remains to complete Gesy, he added, is the integration of palliative care and rehabilitation services, as well as of the specialised laboratory examinations offered by specific medical centres.

“We expect a positive outcome as soon as possible and soon we will be able to have a complete health system that will fully meet the needs of its beneficiaries,” Ioannou said.