THE LACK of a national health scheme (NHS) has dramatically reduced the number of Cypriots who could benefit from an EU directive for cross-border health care, the House heard yesterday.
All member states must implement the directive – which allows all EU citizens to seek free medical treatment anywhere in Europe – within 30 months of it being approved by the European Commission. It has already been passed by the EU parliament – following discussions that started in 2006 – and has been tabled to the EC for approval.
However, because Cyprus doesn’t have a complete health scheme, only those who are beneficiaries locally will be entitled to free treatment abroad.
Those who aren’t, will have to apply to a special committee at the Health Ministry and if certain criteria is fulfilled, they will be approved for treatment in another EU state. Otherwise, they will be told to seek treatment in Cyprus.
The matter was discussed at yesterday’s House Health Committee. DIKO’s Athena Kyriakidou said the directive was of vast importance and offered a legal framework for the protection of patients’ rights, in the event that they opt to seek treatment abroad.
“All member states are obliged to implement this directive within 30 months from when it is approved by the European Commission,” said Kyriakidou. “We must implement it as soon as possible so we can re-evaluate it and improve any inefficiencies that may appear.”
She suggested the creation of a strategic alliance with local private hospitals so that patients can opt for treatment locally, meaning money doesn’t have to leave the state.”
“The directive is of vast importance and offers a form of protection of patients’ rights all over the EU,” said Kyriakidou.
Patients on long waiting lists, as well as those seeking specialist treatment that isn’t available in Cyprus, stand to benefit the most.
The state must create a special information centre that patients can go to for help on what they are entitled to and how they can seek it.
However, only those who are entitled to free health care in Cyprus will be able to seek free treatment abroad.
“Not all Cypriots will benefit from this directive, because we are the only state in the EU that doesn’t have a NHS,” explained AKEL’s Stella Mishaouli. “So not all Cypriots are covered through the directive, only beneficiaries to free health care. Others will need to be approved by a special ministerial committee, in order to seek treatment abroad. If the criteria isn’t fulfilled, they will have to be treated locally.”
