Health ministry budget focuses on upgrades

THE HEALTH Ministry’s general aim for 2009 is to upgrade and improve the state’s health services, Minister Christos Patsalides said yesterday.

Presenting his ministry’s budget for 2009, Patsalides said he aimed to reorganise the ministry and prepare the grounds for the implementation of the National Health Scheme by 2010.

“This year’s budget has increased quite a lot compared to last year, by around €58 million, and this pleases us especially, but it also shows the significance and priority the government puts on the health sector,” said Patsalides.

The budget is 16.87 per cent higher than last year, reaching just over €615 million. It makes up 7.44 per cent of the state’s total annual budget and 3.45 per cent of the GDP.

€100 million will be spent on pharmaceuticals, for which a new pricelist is being prepared in cooperation with the private sector.

The creation of the Cyprus Medical Academy is part of next year’s budget, as is the upgrading of the Engomi, Linopetra, Latsia, Yeroskipou and Zakaki Health Centres.

Around €900,000 will be set aside to upgrade the Nicosia General Hospital’s Oncology Centre, while €13.9 million will be used to build a Radiotherapy Centre in Limassol.

Furthermore, the ministry plans to spend €300,000 on expanding Larnaca General Hospital and another €1 million on creating a Child Mental Health Clinic at Makarios Hospital in Nicosia.

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