The Ministry of Health is expected to submit a revised bill regulating the establishment of university clinics and university hospitals in the coming days, following today’s debate on the principle of the bill in the Parliamentary Health Committee, with Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides stating that the Ministry “is ready” to consider proposals that will improve the framework without altering the reform’s fundamental objective.
Speaking after the session, Mr. Charalambides referred to a “substantial step” toward the institutionalization of university clinics and university hospitals, noting that, despite differing approaches to specific issues, “there is significant common ground.”
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“Cyprus needs a modern institutional framework that systematically links clinical practice with medical education and research, with patient safety and well-being always being the top priority,” he said.
Mr. Charalambides said that the Ministry of Health “has listened carefully to the concerns and suggestions” that were raised and will give favorable consideration to proposals that can improve the legislative framework, adding that the goal is “a safe, modern legislative framework” that can enjoy as broad a base of support as possible.
Mr. Charalambides also referred to the long-standing nature of the issue, noting that the debate has been a topic of public discussion since 2013.
“Almost 14 years later, we must bring this effort to a functional and workable conclusion,” he said.
At the same time, responding to a question about the possibility of university clinics operating in private hospitals, the Minister of Health stated that this is provided for in the proposed bill and that “at the end of the day, it will be up to the House of Representatives to decide,” by voting on the final bill.
The Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Savia Orfanidou, noted that Cyprus “is currently perhaps the only member state of the European Union” that does not have university hospitals and clinics, adding that “we have fallen far behind as a country” in advancing this issue.
As she said, it emerged from today’s discussion that “everyone wants us to move in the same direction” so that the bill can be brought to a vote.
Ms. Orfanidou noted that the next step depends both on the views of those involved and on the revised bill to be submitted by the Minister, adding that the Health Committee is ready, as soon as it is submitted, to proceed with a clause-by-clause debate.
“Our goal will certainly not be merely to pass the legislation, but ultimately to implement something that will function effectively, without problems, primarily for the benefit of Cypriot patients,”, she said.
AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou stated that her party supports the need for university clinics, emphasizing the benefits they can bring to health, education, and scientific advancement.
At the same time, she noted that there are still “significant concerns” among the stakeholders directly involved in the medical community regarding the proposed model.
“We don’t have a clear picture of the text itself at this time,” he said, explaining that AKEL is awaiting the submission of the revised text by the Ministry of Health in order to take a position on the specific provisions.
As he noted, AKEL is ready to contribute “constructively” to the drafting of a bill that will serve “the best possible interests of the patient,” ensure the sustainability and smooth operation of public hospitals, and guarantee the quality of health services.
ELAM MP Andreas Papacharalambous referred to the delay in Cyprus establishing university hospitals, noting that “it does not do our country credit” that the country remains without university hospitals, even though the relevant discussion has been ongoing for about 15 years.
“A discussion that began 15 years ago must come to a conclusion,” he said, adding that the establishment of university hospitals constitutes “an investment in health, education, research, and above all, in people.”
Mr. Papacharalambous expressed satisfaction with the Health Minister’s stance and noted that ELAM will closely monitor the bill’s progress, with the goal, as he put it, to have it passed before the end of the year.
Litsa Drousiotou, a member of parliament for ALMA-Citizens for Cyprus, Litsa Drousiotou, stated that her party is clearly in favor of establishing university clinics and university hospitals, noting that “the conversion of public hospitals into university hospitals is our explicit policy position.”
She emphasized, however, that the reform should substantially upgrade public hospitals and public medical education and should not be limited, as she put it, “merely to the transfer of public clinical infrastructure to universities.”
At the same time, he called for clear national planning, open and transparent procedures, and the protection of the public interest.
The Honorary President of OSAC, Marios Kouloumas, welcomed the start of the debate on the bill, emphasizing that the priority is to create “an effective, functional institutional framework” for the operation of university hospitals.
As he stated, the framework should contribute to the improvement of education, research, and health services, with “the Cypriot patient and his or her best interests in mind.”
Mr. Kouloumas raised, among other things, the need for a clear distinction between university, affiliated, and hospital clinics, as well as the need for clear rules governing cooperation between hospitals and universities.
He also stated, on behalf of OSAC, that “every hospital must collaborate with a medical school,” while noting that the legislative framework should also specify the criteria by which a hospital would be designated as a university hospital.
Source: KYPE
