Filenews 18 December 2024 - by Marilena Panayi
Fragmented and incomplete long-term care services, palliative care services and community nursing and rehabilitation services in Cyprus, resulting in citizens having to pay large sums out of pocket in order to secure them. This, in fact, according to the report of the European Observatory for Monitoring and Health Systems and Policies published yesterday, is happening at a time when, according to official data, both from the Cypriot state and the European Union, our population is aging and the needs are becoming greater year by year.
«Long-term care in Cyprus is a gap for the health sector. Spending on long-term patient care is among the lowest among EU Member States. The lack of state structures leads families to the private sector where the cost is very high" and these services (long-term care, palliative care and rehabilitation), "although covered by the GHS law, access to practice is hampered by the limited availability of these services".
"Although the GHS benefits package is quite comprehensive, there are several challenges, especially in relation to access to innovative medicines and treatments, psychiatric institutional care and access to long-term care services. Also – and despite the fact that there is access to individual services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and home care – this access is limited to a certain number of visits, resulting in insufficient care for some patients. In such cases, beneficiaries are forced to visit the private sector and pay the costs themselves. Access to community nursing services is also limited."
This is happening, the report said, at a time when Cyprus "displays all the characteristics of an ageing society with increased health and social care needs". The share of people aged 65 and over in the total population is projected to increase from 17.1% in 2024 to 19.1% in 2030 and 24.1% in 2050, while the share of people aged 80 and over will increase from 4.1% to 5.1% and 8.3% respectively. This signals a growing demand for long-term care services. In addition, the old-age dependency rate is expected to increase from 27.7% in 2024, to 32.1% in 2030 and 42.1% in 2050.
As far as palliative care is concerned, the report states that palliative care, through the GHS, is offered only to cancer patients through organized bodies, while in this case too the "lack of any institutional framework defining the provision of palliative care, the specialties and the qualifications of the health professionals involved" is highlighted.
As regards citizens' health and risk factors, the report provides an extensive analysis of all data. Briefly, it is mentioned:
>> Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Cyprus, followed by cancer and coronavirus (that year).
>> In 2022, 78% of Cypriots said they were in good health with this percentage being higher than the EU average (68%).
>> Risk factors for the health of Cypriots remain smoking, obesity and reduced physical activity. Smoking, alcohol consumption, eating habits and reduced physical activity were associated with 38% of deaths in 2019.
>> Smoking-related deaths in 2019 (19%) were higher than the EU average. Obesity rates in Cyprus are close to the EU average. Obesity rates in children, however, are a concern.
Regarding the country's health system:
>> The GHS is the biggest social reform since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. It led to huge changes in the health sector in Cyprus, eliminating discrimination and covering almost the entire population, almost eliminating unmet health needs.
>> For the HIO the biggest challenge is the financial stability and sustainability of the GHS and for the SHSO the modernization and autonomy of hospitals.
It is mentioned that the report analyzes all the data and the positive results of the GHS, while it makes extensive reference to the way the health system in Cyprus operates in general. It was prepared by Mamas Theodorou, Chrystalla Charalambous and Tzemma Williams from the Open University, the European University and the Observatory, respectively.
