The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, announced two new interventions to support cancer patients, during his greeting at the March with the Pink Figures at the old GSP. This is the payment of a monthly allowance to vulnerable patients, in the first phase with breast cancer, during treatment and up to 12 months after, as well as free transport of patients from remote areas of the Nicosia district to oncology centers.
The following is the address of the President of the Republic:
It is with great pleasure that I participate once again in the march. The most important thing, as I promised during the first march I participated in, is to move forward and announce new policies each time.
There are many issues, starting from the diagnosis, the quality and speed of treatment. These are issues that cannot depend on the place of residence of each person or on economic data.
At the same time, there are the issues of rehabilitation, psychological support, the issues of returning to work, to everyday life and for this reason a holistic approach is needed to dealwith all these issues.
I believe that the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and the appointment of the first Board of Directors will greatly help us to have this holistic approach. An approach that will be consistent with prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, research, rehabilitation and post-treatment follow-up.
In this great effort, Europa Donna is our partner, it is a companion and I am sure that this cooperation will be strengthened even more with the National Cancer Institute.
On the occasion of today's course, I would like to announce two new interventions by the State.
The first intervention concerns the decision to pay a monthly allowance to vulnerable patients in the first phase with breast cancer, for the duration of treatment and up to 12 months after treatment.
The second intervention concerns the free transport of patients in the first phase from remote areas of the Nicosia District to the oncology centers in our country.
These are your suggestions, to which we naturally respond.
Before I conclude, allow me a special mention of Stella Kyriakides, a woman who became the symbol of this great family, Europa Donna Cyprus. Stella Kyriakidou, who for years, has been fighting, in the literal sense of the word, not only for herself, she is fighting for all people with cancer. My dear Stella, we honour and thank you for what you have offered and continue to offer.
