The new healthcare system in the process of implementation

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After 20 years of delay, the Cyprus government has decided to introduce a General Health Insurance Scheme (GeSY) to secure universal coverage and cooperation between the public and private health sector in an environment of regulated competition. Crucial to this decision was the agreement with the Troika (European Union, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund), as the new system is expected to improve efficiency and control the growth of health expenditure.

Implementation would start in July 2015 and be completed in 2016. Meanwhile the dialogue continues between the Ministry of Health and the main stakeholders on key issues such as hospital reorganisation, referral systems, labour relations and remuneration, health providers, and forms of gate-keeping.

Authors: Panos Pashardes, Christos Koutsampelas & Mamas Theodorou