Filenews 30 June 2021 - by Marlena Panagi
The data of the General Health System, as formulated in the first six months of 2021, issues of an economic nature but also the medium-term planning prepared and includes ten specific objectives that will be implemented in the next period, the OA presented yesterday to the President of the Republic.
The Agency's administration and management went to the Presidential Palace yesterday to discuss with the President of the Republic outstanding and done with regard to the finances of the System, one year after the integration of inpatient care and other services in the GHS. In addition, to talk about the objectives set in relation to the revision of the ODS contracts with service providers, which expire in one to two years (depending on when they joined), the development of the IT system and the efforts made to change culture both on the part of professionals and on the part of beneficiaries.
In particular, and as reported by the 'F', the GESY system in its medium-term planning, which is already in the process of being implemented, includes the recording, analysis and evaluation of data and the promotion of ten different objectives concerning:
- Further stabilisation and normalisation of the System.
- Further reducing abuse.
- Review of existing agreements with service providers, the majority of which expire in one to two years.
- Emphasis and enhancement of the quality of services provided and medical control (e.g. cooperation with NICE, accreditation of providers, etc.).
- Further strengthening of the institution of the Personal Physician.
- Integration of new innovative and specialized medical methods.
- Strengthening preventive programmes (in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the medical community).
- Further development of the IT system.
- Strengthening internal control mechanisms.
- Promote the campaign to inform citizens about the development of a consciousness of responsibility in the use of the services of the GHS.
In statements after the meeting with the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the OAU Thomas Antoniou, referring to the abuses recorded in the System, argued that "abuses have all systems even mature systems - in England where the General Health System is 80 years old and in Germany that is 130".
He added that "the first objective is to bring about normality, a stabilisation of the system that we believe has occurred, but we do not think we are satisfied with the level of abuse and I want to be clear." He clarified that, "it is not only citizens who abuse doctors," explaining that "it is also a matter of familiarity with the system. In other words, citizens do not abuse the system in bad faith, it is a matter of familiarity and information and it is the same with doctors who do not always act in bad faith but are often defensive medicine and other things."
