Health ministry ‘working with HIO to resolve Gesy issues’

The health ministry on Wednesday said it was working with Gesy operator Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) to solve several issues within the national health scheme, which were pointed out earlier in the day by Akel leader Stephanos Stephanou.

Stephanou, who was speaking at a press conference marking three years since the launch of Gesy, had accused the health ministry of shifting blame about Gesy’s shortcomings to HIO or the state health services organisation Okypy.

Gesy is a huge conquest for Cypriot society, especially for everyday people, he said, adding that his party has played a significant role in its implementation.

“Our perception of Gesy is that health is a basic social good and an essential right that a state must provide to all on an equal, quality and non-discriminatory basis,” he said.

“Based on this principle, AKEL has always supported – and continues to support – a health system that ensures equal, universal and high-quality medical care for all beneficiaries”.

But this is also a conquest that must be supported so it can grow even further, Stephanou added. “This calls for a comprehensive overview of the system that will point out and fix any weaknesses and shortages – of which there are some”.

The health ministry has a defining role to play in drafting a public health policy, creating a strategy and maintaining quality within Gesy, he said, arguing that it instead redirects any complaints to HIO or Okypy instead of implementing more effective capacity planning, improving the existing infrastructure and generally giving more support to state hospitals, “the backbone of Gesy”.

“The Anastasiades government… has a great responsibility for the undermining, erosion and continuous devaluation of public hospitals”.

 Stephanou argued that the introduction of Gesy has given state hospitals the additional responsibility of upholding and protecting public health, which means the state has an obligation to support them through the state budget and beyond.

He also said Akel is demanding that the HIO implements better monitoring to prevent system abuses, but also make sure protocols are followed and hospitals subject to regular medical audits for quality control of the services.

The party is also demanding wider and more efficient access to personal doctors and specialists, and for the inclusion of private hospital A&E departments to Gesy.

 The party leader said Akel is also asking for access to cheaper and more innovative medications, as well as coverage of non-prescription drugs for the chronically ill and pensioners.

Defending the character and philosophy of Gesy, making efforts towards improving it, and demanding more support for public hospitals are issues of major importance, Stephanou finally said.

 “Akel will keep defending the right to health, the right to life… we will protect it and we will promote it with all our strength, supporting the public hospitals and Gesy”.

The ministry also said that all of Akel’s concerns and demands will be discussed in a meeting with Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas next week.