More private companies applying to be part of Gesy

Increases in applications from private companies wishing to become part of the national health scheme (Gesy) are being seen as positive so far, but authorities say that capacity planning will be something that will be important in the next few years.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail on Thursday, the director of the national health insurance organisation (HIO) Andreas Papaconstantinou said that capacity planning will be something to discuss in the next few years and that authorities will need to make sure that it is put in place correctly.

He added that they are worried about the market becoming oversaturated with offers for services, which would cause a problem, but for now they are happy with the number of offers being received.

“It [capacity planning] will be something to discuss in the next few years,” he said.

An earlier report in daily Politis said that Cyprus has become an attractive destination for health sector investors, wishing to be part of Gesy.

In 2022, the health ministry received 13 applications from foreign investors that wanted to open their own hospitals.

According to the data, in Cyprus there are currently 75 private hospitals, 53 of which are part of Gesy. Most private clinics are in Nicosia and Limassol. The capital has 24, while Limassol has 26, Larnaca has 12, Paphos has 9, and the Famagusta area has 4.

The number of private hospitals is also set to increase, with HIO saying that Ygia Polyclinic in Limassol is also set to join Gesy.

HIO’s board is set to meet in June to approve the application, which is if moves forward will induct Ygia in September. According to the report, the clinic will need to create 200 new beds, to be able to meet the needs of other hospitals in Gesy.

The daily also reported that in the next three to four years another four hospitals are set to open their doors in Limassol, with three of them already being optimistic they will join Gesy.

Meanwhile in Nicosia, another three hospitals have already received licences to be built.