Cyprus health committee discusses bill for national ambulance service amid calls for reform

The Cyprus Parliamentary Health Committee is debating a bill to establish a National Ambulance Service under the Ministry of Health. Riana Constantinou, head of the current service, described the existing situation as a "para-state," noting that private entities operate without sufficient equipment or training. She highlighted that ambulance transfers surged from 5,000 to 45,000 annually following the implementation of the General Healthcare System (GeSY) without a corresponding increase in staff. While the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) now supports the transition, its CEO Kypros Stavridis has requested financial compensation for previous investments. The Health Insurance Organization (HIO) raised concerns regarding potential legal conflicts if the Ministry of Health acts as both supervisor and service provider. Meanwhile, the Federation of Patient Associations (OSAK) reported a critical failure on February 12, 2026, where a 38-year-old patient missed a life-saving transplant due to air transport delays. OSAK continues to advocate for an independent body with dedicated air-evacuation capabilities to prevent such incidents.