in-cyprus 4 April 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
The parliament is attempting to end the hardship faced by patients who currently must travel abroad for allogeneic bone marrow transplants, addressing a significant gap in the country’s healthcare system.
A draft law discussed by the parliamentary Health Committee would enable these transplants to be performed in Cyprus, potentially eliminating the need for approximately 30 Cypriot patients annually to seek treatment overseas.
The absence of legislation governing allogeneic transplants remains the sole obstacle preventing an already-equipped and staffed specialist clinic at a private hospital from beginning operations.
The facility has reportedly been waiting approximately ten months for necessary approvals from the Ministry of Health.
Entire families are uprooted and endure difficulties for extended periods, patient representatives explained during the committee hearing, noting that the transplant process requires lengthy pre-operative preparation and post-operative care.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged the current legislative gap during parliamentary discussions. A ministry representative indicated that while the draft legislation covers many of the prerequisites for such procedures, it “could be further enhanced to better safeguard the quality of services provided and the safety of patients undergoing allogeneic transplants in Cyprus”.
