2020 Cyprus Country Report

Health
Sector Profile
STREAMLINING
HEALTH
The combination of a robust private health sector with internationally
acclaimed medical research and health professionals, and the roll-out of a
new national health system has brought Cyprus on par with its European
peers. This crucial evolution has boosted Cyprus’ efforts to encourage more
investments in areas such as e-health, medical tourism, rehabilitation
services and medical schools to further develop its health sector.
For decades, the Cyprus health sector
has been primarily known for its
excellent private healthcare with its
highly trained and internationally
experienced professionals, specialised
medical services and globally renowned
research. The majority of its
medical professionals are educated at
top-tier universities in the UK, Greece, Western
Europe, the US and Russia, and international
expertise and specialisation have been key
factors in the development of Cyprus’ formidable
private sector with 75 private hospitals and
clinics, along with numerous smaller private
practices.
However, 2020 marks a milestone in this
sector with the long-anticipated national health
system (NHS) coming into full effect with the
promise to modernise and upgrade healthcare
into a more streamlined, transparent and costeffective
system.
International rankings further underline the
strength of the health sector with Cyprus rated as
the 21 st healthiest country in the world, according
to Bloomberg’s 2019 edition of its Healthiest
Country Index. Cyprus also has good access to
quality health services, ranking 24 th out of 195
countries in the Healthcare Access and Quality
Index (HAQ) – a study funded by the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation. In the index Cyprus
ranks higher than Germany, Israel and the US,
which rank 25 th , 28 th and 37 th respectively. With
the new NHS, the aim is to offer the public equal
access to a healthcare sector that boasts excellent
professionals, technology and innovation.
COVID-19 IMPACT
2020 has been a year scarred by the coronavirus
pandemic and its effects on the global economy.
Cyprus took staunch measures before several of
its European partners, taking a proactive stance
KEY
contacts
Ministry of Health
www.moh.gov.cy
The Health Insurance
Organisation (HIO/GESY)
www.gesy.org.cy
State Health Services
Organisation (SHSO)
www.shso.org.cy
Cyprus
Healthcare Tourism
www.cyhealthservices.com
92 Country Report CYPRUS 2020