2020 Cyprus Country Report

Cyprus ranks
24th
(out of 195 countries)
for access to quality
health services in
Healthcare Access and
Quality Index (HAQ)
The majority of the
doctors are educated
at advanced and
reputable universities
both in Cyprus
and abroad from
countries such as
the UK, Greece,
Western Europe,
Russia and the US
Over the past three
decades, Cyprus
has made highly
commendable
achievements
in the fields of
medical research
and innovation
TAPPING INTO GLOBAL MEDICAL TOURISM
Cyprus was one of the first entrants into the
European medical tourism sector, and established
a national initiative to promote medical tourism
thanks to its extensive private healthcare offering
and longstanding status as a tourism destination.
The global medical tourism market is expected
to reach US$179.6 billion by 2026, with positive
future growth prospects according to a report by
Grand View Research Inc – however the global
Covid-19 pandemic is expected to affect these
figures.
Cyprus has excellent medical infrastructure,
hospitals, laboratories and other diagnostic
centres making it a prime destination for medical
tourism. Services are affordable and easily accessible,
and this coupled with its large pool of highly
educated healthcare professionals and expert services,
are positioning the island as a key centre
for medical tourism in the Mediterranean region.
A vast array of quality medical treatments
for patients from all over the world are offered
in Cyprus, from basic check-ups and diagnostic
tests to major surgery, kidney haemodialysis,
transplants and cardiothoracic surgery procedures,
orthopaedic, musculoskeletal surgery
and many more. In early 2018, the President of
Cyprus inaugurated the new heart centre at the
Mediterranean Hospital in Limassol saying it
would contribute to the greater goal of making
the island a regional hub for medical services.
The country’s ideal year-round climatic conditions
make it an attractive destination, where
patients can combine treatment with a holiday,
and recovery with relaxation. The majority of
medical tourists come from the UK, Germany,
the Netherlands, Russia and the Middle East and
most seek either dental or cosmetic procedures.
However, increasing numbers now visit Cyprus
for fertility treatment, while the island is gaining
a reputation for other specialist procedures.
Prior to travel restrictions as a result of Covid-
19, Cyprus was also fast becoming a popular wellness
destination with new luxury spa resorts and
rural retreats springing up across the island, with
holistic therapies and beauty treatments readily
available. Fresh and saltwater pools, whirlpools,
saunas, steam rooms and hammams, are all
present in abundance in hotels around the island
for the growing number of wellness orientated
and health-conscious tourists.
Investment in both medical and wellness
tourism continues to be a serious opportunity
for investors, as this sector has been earmarked
by the government as one with immense development
potential with growing demand from
European tourists. According to the state’s strategic
report, the development of wellness centres
should be considered an integral element of
future new resorts or added to existing assets in a
bid to upgrade and enhance their value proposition.
This is also highlighted through TourInvest,
a specialised unit operating under the auspices
of Cyprus’ investment promotion agency Invest
Cyprus, and aimed at promoting tourism-related
investment opportunities on the island.
MEDICAL CANNABIS
An interesting initiative is Cyprus’ plans to introduce
the cultivation and trade of medical cannabis.
Apart from the benefits it would bring patients
– a number-one priority – it can also boost
the economic development of the island, as well
as attract significant foreign investment for the
entire production chain.
In February 2019, Cyprus took a step forward
and passed a law allowing for and regulating the
cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis.
Initial plans outlined three licenses will be
granted to private companies at a cost of €500,000
each for 15 years to grow medical cannabis and
distribute it to pharmacies. The annual cost of
renewing the license was €30,000 however there
has been a call for re-examination of the fees with
other options being touted such as a percentage
of revenue due to the high profit margins the
business is expected to yield.
The law regulates the import of cannabis seeds
and plants, the cultivation, production, import
and export of pharmaceutical cannabis and its
use for research for medical purposes. Before
the NHS comes into full force in 2020, medical
cannabis will be available in state pharmacies,
however, once the ball is rolling with the health
system it will also be available for distribution by
private companies. The move is expected to put
Cyprus on par with many other states such as
Israel and Germany, where medical cannabis has
Sector Profile
258
average number
of people
per doctor
290
average number
of people per bed
187
average number
of people
per nurse
114
average number
of people per
ICU bed
Country Report CYPRUS 2020 95