Approximately 2500 people in Cyprus suffer from multiple sclerosis, they are among us, in the family, friendly or colleague environment, and it is the duty of the state, like any healthy and prosperous society, to support the efforts of these individuals to remain active citizens, to maintain their jobs and activities to the maximum extent and over time, stated on Friday, the Minister of Health, Michalis Damianos.
In his speech at a press conference for World Multiple Sclerosis Day organized by the Pancyprian Association for this disease, Michalis Damianos said that more than 2,5 million people worldwide suffer from multiple sclerosis, mainly affecting women and those aged 20-40.
"Multiple sclerosis attacks the nervous system through an autoimmune mechanism, which leads to the destruction of myelin, a substance responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. The exact causes of the disease still remain unknown, although the pathophysiology of the disease is known," he said.
The goal of World Day, he continued, is to raise public awareness about an autoimmune disease, which is associated with a large burden of symptoms and which affects the functionality and, by extension, the quality of life of patients, but also of their families and their wider social environment.
Mr. Damianos announced that the Ministry of Health will offer the symbolic amount of €500 to support the work of Sndesmou, saying that the contribution and role of volunteers, "who, beyond and above any personal pursuit, are at the service of our fellow human beings, assuming an increasingly important role in the process of social development and the maintenance of social cohesion," is a supreme example of encouraging the wider society.
Furthermore, the President of the Cyprus Multiple Sclerosis Association, Georgia Dimofanou, stated that all organizations that belong to the global community of patients with multiple sclerosis, as well as patients as entities, are sending the message "My MS Diagnosis", which supports timely and valid diagnosis for all patients.
The main purpose of the campaign, he said, is to raise awareness of all the obstacles to early diagnosis, as well as to share personal experiences of patients.
The Cyprus Multiple Sclerosis Association, he said, has been standing by patients since 1986 until today, has 1374 registered members (1299 patients and 75 friends) and its services aim to inform and guide the patient, to manage their emotions and to improve their quality of life through empowerment and rehabilitation.
"Multiple Sclerosis is now one of the most widespread neurological diseases and usually begins in adolescence with an exacerbation between the ages of 20-40. Women are affected more often than men, making up approximately 65-70% of sufferers," he said.
Ms. Dimofanou said that the increasing trend of new cases in our country makes it necessary to create a National Strategy for Multiple Sclerosis, with the aim of providing high-quality services to patients.
"The Strategy will be an important tool towards the rational treatment of the disease on a holistic basis of health professionals and services for the best possible treatment of the condition," he noted.
The President of the Association thanked the Ministry of Health for the state aid for the year 2024 for the Physiotherapy / Kinesiotherapy and Psychological Support programs with the amount of 50.000 euros.
He also thanked the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities for their cooperation. He announced that in collaboration with the CCCI and the Department of Labor, they are planning various actions for 2025 with the aim of publicizing the plan to provide incentives for hiring both chronically ill and disabled people in the private sector. He invited employers to participate in the plan.
"We demand from the new legislation the recognition of invisible disabilities and their invisible symptoms. Disability is not only motor. Disability is any form of deficiency or handicap that causes a permanent or indefinite physical, mental or psychological limitation in the individual that, taking into account their history and other personal information, substantially reduces or excludes the ability to perform one or more activities or functions that are considered normal and essential for the quality of life of every person of their age who does not have such a deficiency or handicap," he said.
Many patients with multiple sclerosis, he noted, face difficulties because their symptoms are not recognized because they are not noticed by employers or even by their family members.
Addressing the spokesperson for the Minister of Transport, she said that they are demanding ramps and elevators in all public buildings, appropriate pedestrian crossings with audible signals, accessible public transport and free or reduced transport tickets for people with disabilities and their companions.
Improving accessibility and mobility in public transport, as well as the development of appropriate infrastructure for people with mobility difficulties, is of crucial importance for facilitating the daily lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis, stated the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, in his greeting, which was read by Sunny Papadimitriou - Tofa.
The Ministry's cooperation with the competent Ministries, as well as with organizations and bodies that provide support to patients, remains crucial for the development of solutions that respond to their real needs, ensuring equal opportunities and strengthening their social participation, he added.
As the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, he noted, they remain committed to strengthening social inclusion and solidarity, providing support to those affected and taking steps that will contribute to improving their daily lives.
In her greeting, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, stated that the Association, through the holding of various events, succeeds once again in highlighting the issues concerning people with multiple sclerosis, significantly contributing to informing and raising awareness in society.
"In the two and a half years of Nikos Christodoulides' government, we have emphasized the creation and strengthening of 24-hour and daily care services and programs for vulnerable groups of the population. It is a process that is constantly evolving, since we are certainly aware of the increased care needs that exist," he pointed out.
In her greeting, read by the Director of the Department of Social Inclusion, Christina Flourentzou, the Deputy Minister stated that 2025 is also a milestone for people with disabilities, as they proceed with the enactment of new, modern legislation that will place all issues related to the social protection and integration of people with disabilities under a single regulatory framework, covering serious and long-standing gaps.
This, he explained, is legislation that was formulated in collaboration with the Cyprus Confederation of Disabled Persons' Organizations (KYSOA) and which constitutes a major social reform.
Within the framework of the new legislation, he said, social benefits are being modernized, expanded and increased, while new services are being introduced such as the Decision Support Advisor, the Trainer and the Personal Work Assistant, significantly upgrading the quality of life of people with disabilities.
At the same time, he added, existing services are being significantly strengthened, such as the Work Integration Professional and the Social Companion, which are expected to practically support people with multiple sclerosis, facilitating their daily lives and substantially contributing to their social and professional integration.
Additionally, the new legislation decouples the disability benefit from the Minimum Guaranteed Income, satisfying a long-standing request of the disability movement in our country, he noted.
Until the implementation of this reform, he said, they continue to support people with disabilities, including many people with multiple sclerosis, through the existing social benefits of both the Welfare Benefits Management Service and the Department of Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities, with monthly benefits, vacation grants, parking passes, a European Disability Card, as well as financial assistance for the purchase of a car, wheelchairs and technical means and assistive technology to facilitate daily life and encourage the activation and participation of every person.
Actions to encourage the employment of every person with a disability who has the potential for work are also continuing, through training grants, grants for the creation of small self-employment units, priority appointment in the broader public sector on a quota basis, and the initiation of information and cooperation with organizations and bodies to support and encourage the creation of social enterprises by people with disabilities themselves, he noted.
The fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities, as equal members of society, and the improvement of their quality of life, through reform and additional actions, within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, are a strategic pursuit of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, stated the Deputy Minister.
Source: KYPE
