Cyprus parliament passes reforms in healthcare sector

On Thursday, the Parliament of Cyprus voted to establish the National Cancer Institute and the National Ambulance Authority. The Ministry of Health stated that the legislation also encompasses community nursing and midwifery reforms. Approximately 4,500 new cancer cases are reported annually in Cyprus, with breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers being the most frequent. Despite these numbers, the country reports higher five-year survival rates than the European Union average, including 93% for breast cancer and 99% for prostate cancer. The new Institute is tasked with coordinating prevention, diagnosis, and oncology research strategies. President Nikos Christodoulides noted that these reforms fulfill pre-election pledges aimed at modernizing the state. Minister of Health Neofytos Charalampidis emphasized that the initiative creates an autonomous scientific pillar to manage oncology services. The ambulance authority aims to improve coordination, transparency, and the quality of pre-hospital emergency care.