A written statement was issued by the Minister of Health, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, regarding the inclusion of health services in the GESS from today, December 1st. Among other things, he states that this is an important development in the effort to upgrade health services to the beneficiaries of GeSy.
As his statement:
The GESS is enriched and upgraded
As of today, 1η December 2020, the General Health System (GSY) takes another important step for the enrichment of the health services it offers to the Cypriot citizens and in general to all the beneficiaries. Specifically, from today, GESS will offer preventive dental services, community nursing services by general and psychiatric nursing nurses, as well as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, clinical diet and clinical psychology services.
This is an important development in the continuous effort to upgrade health services to the beneficiaries of GESS, of this great social conquest of our people, which was implemented despite the reservations, objections, and even war that preceded.
The data show that GESS is constantly embraced by the beneficiaries, who use the services, as well as the contracted health professionals, who are increasing. Based on the latest available data from the Health Insurance Organization:
- The beneficiaries who registered with the GESS and a Personal Doctor amount to 845,000.
- 755,347 beneficiaries visited a personal doctor, while another 550,186 beneficiaries visited specialist doctors. 307,686 beneficiaries visited a specialist for diagnostic tests.
- More than 587 thousand beneficiaries received medicines through the GESS while 502,275 underwent laboratory tests.
- The number of beneficiaries who underwent surgery is close to 30,000.
The above elements fill us with satisfaction and arm us with strength to continue the great effort and to face the problems that exist. GESS started and continues unwaveringly its mission to offer high quality health services without discrimination and exclusion. Especially at this difficult time of the health crisis, the GESS is proving to be a valuable ally in the great effort to ensure public health. The Ministry of Health proves daily that it actively supports GESS, invests in health services and remains a helper in the efforts of the Health Insurance Organization, for continuous monitoring and improvement of the system, in order to become more efficient and functional, for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
On behalf of the Government and the State in general, I would like to thank all those who work for the success of this great reform, which we will proudly pass on to the next generation.