Filenews 10 July 2024 - by Marilena Panayi
All GHS health service providers will be obliged to have facilities and equipment accessible to people with disabilities (permanent or temporary).
The Health Insurance Organisation has launched the procedures and is already in dialogue with the stakeholders in order to finalize the criteria that all those who offer their services within the System will be required to meet (depending on the specialty and the services they offer).
The HIO, having at its disposal the minimum criteria prepared by the Ministry of Health in advance, requested, as we are informed, the assistance of the patients themselves so that the decisions to be taken are adapted to the real needs of people with mobility difficulties.
As the general director of the HIO, Andreas Papaconstantinou, told "F", "we had a first, very constructive meeting with patient representatives and after receiving their positions we will evaluate them and on the basis of logic and a realistic approach we will make a start on the accessibility issues of the services provided to our beneficiaries who are people with disabilities. The preparation and implementation of criteria is a pending issue that we must take forward as soon as possible and this is what we are doing now with the first inventory of needs."
The Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations reportedly submitted yesterday its final list which includes criteria and conditions for each category of providers, depending on their specialty and the services they offer.
Among other things, this list includes beds, examination tables, treatment chairs, examination chairs and special equipment for transporting patients from the wheelchair to where they need to be to undergo an examination.
The necessary building specifications are also included, since, in addition to the parking spaces and the ramp that all health service areas must have, criteria will also be determined regarding examination rooms, hospital wards, areas where radiodiagnostic and other equipment are located.
In detail and according to the OSAC, GHS service providers, depending on the specialty and services they offer, must have equipment that will allow the examination of people with disabilities safely. For each service and/or specialty the requirements are different. For example, for gynaecologists, it is necessary to have an examination chair suitable for gynaecological examination in women with disabilities. That is, the chair must have the necessary mechanisms and adjustable legs. Special specifications are also included for ophthalmologists, as for dentists, while in all areas there must be enough space for wheelchair rotation.
Quite detailed is the recording of the criteria that, according to the OSAC, radiodiagnostic centers must meet: They must have equipment for easy transport of the examinee with settings for comfortable change of position, large suitable openings for equipment performing CT and MRI, visual and auditory signals for people with vision loss and hearing loss, Fastening belts, side supports to prevent falling, etc. Also, mammographs must have a special chair with an adjustable seat for women with disabilities.
