Parliamentary Health Committee resumes discussion on naturopathy and acupuncture legislation

The Parliamentary Health Committee of Cyprus has scheduled a discussion for this Thursday regarding a proposed bill aimed at regulating acupuncture, naturopathy, and other primarily Chinese medical practices. This proposal was previously debated in December, where it faced significant opposition. The Cyprus Medical Association, the Federation of Patients' Associations of Cyprus, and the Association of Physiotherapists issued a joint statement expressing their strong disagreement with the bill's reintroduction. These organizations contend that the proposal lacks scientific evidence and provides institutional protection to individuals who are not recognized health professionals. They argue that the committee has chosen to ignore the warnings of the scientific community and organized patient groups. Furthermore, these associations question the committee's priorities, noting that other urgent public health matters remain pending. The groups officially stated that the bill raises serious concerns regarding public health standards. The legislative proposal seeks to formalize practices that these organizations claim lack international medical recognition.