The creation of a European "shield" for the protection of the medical profession is promoted by the Pancyprian Medical Association, taking an initiative at European level to create a relevant contract, along the lines of the one already established for the protection of the legal profession.
The initiative was raised, according to information from "F", before the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, during the meeting he had with the leadership of PIS. The doctors informed the President about the moves that have begun to be made at the European level and about the goal of promoting an institutional framework for the protection of their profession.
The response from the Presidential Palace was positive. According to the same information, the President of the Republic stated that he expects the initiative to mature and, when the PIS is ready to proceed with the next steps, the Government will support the effort.
The precedent of the lawyers
The model that doctors have in mind is not theoretical. In 2025, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the first international legally binding treaty specifically addressing the protection of lawyers and the independent exercise of their profession.
The contract provides, among other things, guarantees against threats, attacks, interference and obstruction of the exercise of the profession, while it also includes provisions concerning the independence of professional associations. Cyprus is among the countries that have signed the convention.
Participation in proceedings
The discussion at the Presidential Palace, however, was not limited to the European initiative. One of the issues raised by the PIS was the way in which the institutional representative of doctors participates in the process of formulating legislation concerning Medicine and the practice of the profession.
According to information from "F", the association requested early participation during the stage of preparation of the relevant bills, so that its positions and scientific knowledge are submitted before the legislation takes its final form and not at a later stage.
In the same context, the need to modernize the Code of Medical Ethics, as well as the legislation governing the operation of the Pancyprian Medical Association itself, was raised.
The agenda also included the tightening of penalties for violations related to unlicensed health structures and services. This issue had also been highlighted in the public statements after the meeting, with the president of the PIS, Petros Agathangelou, pointing out that the existing penalties are not considered sufficiently deterrent.
The leadership of the association also informed the President of the Republic about the completion of 60 years since the establishment of the PIS, with the association preparing a series of anniversary events.
The meeting seems to also pave the way for more systematic communication between the President and organized doctors. After all, Nikos Christodoulides himself, in his public statements, spoke of the need to strengthen contacts and institutionalize the dialogue with the Pancyprian Medical Association.
