Private occupational therapy remains excluded from Cyprus health system

Six years after the implementation of the National Health System (GeSY) in Cyprus, private occupational therapists remain excluded from the system. The Cyprus Association for ADHD Support reports that this lack of coverage creates significant financial burdens for families, costing between €250 and €400 per month for children requiring two to three sessions weekly. Occupational therapy is considered a critical intervention for children with ADHD, aiding in sensory regulation and executive function development. Rural areas face additional challenges, as they often lack any available occupational therapy services, leading to unequal access to care. Negotiations between the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) and the Pan-Cyprian Association of Occupational Therapists have not yet yielded a solution or a transitional framework. Before the establishment of GeSY, the Ministry of Health provided a subsidy of €20 per session upon submission of receipts, a practice that is no longer in place. The Association continues to urge the HIO to address these systemic gaps to ensure necessary pediatric support.