Filenews 30 January 2026 - by Marilena Panayi
The Health Insurance Organization (HIO) is facing all kinds of problems and obstacles regarding the IT system of the General Health System. The president of the Organization, Stavros Michael, informed the Parliament that there is an intention that with the expiration of the contractor company's contract next May, the HIO will take over the coordination of the software.
Presenting the budget of the HIO for 2026 and answering questions from MPs, Mr. Michael referred to a series of problems and obstacles that the Organization faces in its effort to free itself from the current situation.
"The problems did not exist until October 2024 and arose, at that time, because the contractor changed the subcontractor and undertook to do the work internally."
It seems, he added, "that he did not succeed as he should, or overestimated his strengths, or found various obstacles. Some changes were made and just when it seemed that we were doing well and we thought that we would not have any more issues, the problem reappeared".
It is recalled that in the last ten days the GHS software has been underperforming, resulting in the inconvenience of both patients and the health service providers of the System.
"We are in constant communication with the contractor, we set the fines provided for in the contract but the solution is not fines, the solution is for us to take over in May when the contract expires," said Mr. Michael and continued: "Our thought is to let the subcontractors continue and we take over the coordination. Other semi-governmental organizations, such as the Telecommunications Authority, already apply such a regulation."
However, he said, "we have difficulties in this issue as well because it is a very large contract which will be transferred from the contractor to the contracting authority".
"We hope," he said, addressing the MPs of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, "that we will overcome the problems, because there are also legal problems, and if we need your help we must come here and help us."
"It is not an easy task and it is not easy to make decisions. If the contractor continues to have problems, this makes it difficult for us. On the other hand, if we take over and other problems arise, you realize it's not that simple."
