Seven years after the launch of national health schemes in Cyprus and Greece, PEO and SEK trade unions are calling for reforms, stronger public systems and improved access to care, while reaffirming their support for universal healthcare.

In Cyprus, PEO marked the seventh anniversary of Gesy by describing it as a major social reform that has significantly improved access to healthcare for hundreds of thousands of people.

The union stressed that the system is a collective achievement rooted in long-standing efforts by workers, patients and society to secure equal access to care regardless of income.

PEO urged authorities to address system abuses, enhance service quality and ensure Gesy’s long-term financial sustainability while maintaining its universal character.

It called for a formal capacity-planning system to assess real healthcare needs, arguing that the system’s financial health allows for improvements benefiting patients.

The focus, it said, should shift from merely accumulating reserves to reassessing and redistributing resources to enhance services.

The union pointed out ongoing patient obstacles, such as access to physiotherapy, rehabilitation, home care and preventive exams.

It also called for urgent subsidies for non-prescription medicines for vulnerable groups and faster integration of new services and treatments.

“Gesy is a social achievement. We will preserve and strengthen it,” PEO concluded, reiterating its commitment to defending healthcare rights and supporting a strong public health system for society’s benefit.