Filenews 3 June 2023 - by Marilena Panayi
Almost nine out of ten GHS beneficiaries visited their personal doctor in 2022, one in two underwent laboratory tests, one in three radiodiagnostic tests, while almost seven out of ten obtained medicines through the system, under which 90,500 surgeries were performed.
The GHS is not only considered sustainable, but it is estimated that in the coming years it will have a satisfactory reserve, according to the actuarial study recently conducted by the ILO (International Labour Organization) and includes forecasts until 2030.
One of the main objectives of the Health Insurance Organisation, as mentioned during a press conference held on the occasion of the completion of four years since the implementation of the GHS, "is to carry out continuous checks for the compliance of providers with the legal framework of operation of the GHS, but mainly to control and tackle abuse and fraud". During the fourth year of operation of the GHS, according to the HIO, "the results of the audits that the organization started from the first day of operation of the GHS have begun to emerge". In this context, the contracts of eight specialist doctors have been terminated, six of whom have been reported to the Police. The contract of three other providers was also terminated, two of which were reported to the Police, while the contracts of laboratories that did not hold an operating license were also terminated.
The HIO also rejected claims from providers for compensation amounting to €9 million. and imposed administrative fines in 70 cases (amounting to €200,000), while in 60 cases it has imposed the penalty of recommendation. Around 500 own-initiative investigations are currently underway and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Regarding the provision of services to the 943,978 registered beneficiaries of the system, according to HIO data:
>> 806,900 have visited their personal doctors.
>> 692,500 have taken medication.
>> 611,200 have visited specialist doctors.
>> 502,300 have undergone laboratory tests.
>> 299,900 have visited imaging centers.
>> 286,500 have visited dentists.
Also, 90,500 operations were performed, of which 16,000 related to the specialty of general surgery, 13,300 were orthopedic operations, 10,500 operations related to cataracts, 11,700 were gynecological operations, 6,800 related to otolaryngological problems, 4,500 operations related to the specialty of urology, while 3,300 neurosurgical procedures, 2,100 ophthalmological procedures, 970 cardiothoracic surgeries, 200 percutaneous procedures were also performed aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and 140 robotic procedures. At the same time, palliative care was offered in 2,000 cases, while 8,200 deliveries were recorded.
As mentioned at the press conference, in 2022, approximately 80 innovative medicines and services were included in the GHS, such as rehabilitation services, on-call personal doctors during weekends and holidays, robotic surgery services, etc.
At the same time, it was announced that in the near future the services of speech-language pathologists will be expanded to children with autism, Down syndrome and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as to adults after stroke or traumatic brain injury. Also, services for home care by nurses will be expanded to people undergoing dialysis or peritoneal dialysis, while first aid services will be strengthened with the inclusion in 2023 of two private TAEP in Nicosia and Limassol. Finally, podiatrists are expected to join the GHS by July.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HIO, Stavros Michael, during his speech, said that "the GHS is the biggest social reform since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and has completed four years of life, ensuring equal access to quality health services for all citizens without exceptions, while creating the conditions for a strong, innovative and effective health system that is constantly evolving and improving".
Regarding occupational therapy services, the HIO will proceed to a new round of consultations, while regarding physiotherapists and their complaints against the organization, Stavros Michael, in response to a relevant question, said that this group of professionals has been invited several times for dialogue but there has been no response.
Regarding the patient queues observed in hospitals and the delay in arranging appointments with doctors, Mr. Michael replied that "the problem of so-called lists in a health system is something that is very basic." He added that there are some specialties for which there are not enough doctors within the system and "there are some problems that can be solved in an effort to attract other specialties. He also referred to the need to cultivate culture in order not to create "overdemand" in certain doctors and specialties.
Regarding innovative medicines, he stated that "it is true and it is also a finding of the Ministry of Health that we are quite behind compared to other countries in terms of the introduction of innovative medicines, but we must say that innovative medicines need a process of preparing correct protocols in order to be imported and this process cannot cover previous years."
The PIS insists on its participation in the HIO Board of Directors
In an announcement for yesterday, the Pancyprian Medical Association reiterated its request for participation in the HIO Board of Directors. "The PIS and the scientific societies can provide the necessary scientific basis to the implementation and operation of the GHS. In this direction, we believe that the institution representing the medical community should participate in the decision-making process, with the participation of the PIS in the HIO Board of Directors", the relevant announcement states, inter alia. The President of the HIO, Stavros Michael, had earlier been asked about the possible participation of the PIS in the Board of Directors of the organization, who referred to the relevant legislation, saying that the issue is political. "This is a political issue that does not concern the HIO. The composition of the board was decided by the executive and legislative branches and in the board the 12 people along with me 13, are those provided for by law. Now, whether there should be representatives of the PIS or some other specialties is a matter for the executive and legislative branches to consider and whatever they give us we will work and move forward." It is recalled that in the summer of 2022, huge reactions were caused when the government had appointed the president of the PIS to the HIO board, resulting in this decision of the Council of Ministers being annulled.
INTERVENTION
Rather, they find fertile ground
The leadership of the PIS cannot be criticized for insisting on the participation of the association in the HIO board, although, among other things, there is the argument that several of the members of the association's board, including the president, are non-GHS doctors. The point is that probably with the change of government the PIS finds fertile ground to reinstate its demand. The ball is in the court of the government and the parties that support it. The composition of the HIO Board of Directors is part of the GHS philosophy. Those who pay monthly contributions to the system's Fund participate, not those who are paid. We are waiting for the follow-up.
