June 2020 is the final date set for the implementation of the National Health Scheme (NHS), Health Minister Giorgos Pamboridis said on Tuesday.
Pamboridis, following a meeting at the presidential palace with President Nicos Anastasiades and the heads of the parliamentary political parties, said that consensus has been achieved as to the “character of the organisation that will oversee [hospital] autonomy”.
He added that the meeting was along the same lines as that of July 21, when all heads of the parliamentary parties agreed during a meeting with the president as to how to proceed with the NHS, which is a requirement of Cyprus’ bailout programme.
Under the deal, Cyprus was supposed to offer a national healthcare scheme by 2015. A major reason for the delay is that the autonomy of state hospitals, which is a prerequisite of the NHS, is still pending.
After constant push back of dates, Pamboridis in July tabled the bill on the financial and administrative autonomy of state hospitals before the cabinet.
In Tuesday’s meeting three dates were set for the gradual implementation of the NHS.
By June 2017 a public organisation will be set up which will oversee hospital autonomy, Pamboridis said, while by June 2019 outpatient care will be introduced.
The ultimate date for the full implementation of the NHS is June 1, 2020, Pamboridis said.
This, he said, does not exclude the possibility of the earlier implementation of the three stages.
“This is a very important reform,” Pamboridis said.
He also said the political leaders confirmed their commitment and welcomed the fact that the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has completed the assessment of the tenders for the software programme that will be used for the NHS.
“The HIO asked from the parties the immediate release of funds for studies concerning the reform,” he said.
In the meantime, Pamboridis said, and to tackle day-to-day issues but also the problems caused from the resignations of state doctors, his ministry will examine a number of ideas to provide solutions until the new organisation that will oversee hospital autonomy is created. These ideas aim at stopping the bout of resignations of medical staff in state hospitals, which now face serious understaffing problems.
Government officials had admitted that they are having difficulty in finding doctors willing to work in state hospitals as both the salaries and the working conditions are offputting.
The government announced on Monday the extension of the deadline for the expression of interest from doctors of various specialties for posts in state hospitals to September 22.
