— NHS implementation by mid- to late-2008
Mckinsey & Co., the consultants hired by the Cyprus government to prepare the strategy and implementation of the national health scheme, say that the system would collapse if it relied on self-funding alone.
The consultants have suggested that in order for the new law on the NHS to be effective, it would need to find external sources of revenue and not rely on public and state contributions.
Kyriacos Christophi, the president of the Health Insurance Board of the NHS told the House Health Affairs Committee that the issue of external contributions was not conclusive, but that ways could be found to increase revenue and prevent a shortfall in funding.
Christophi said that the proposal for higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol was that “those who drink and smoke are a greater burden to the state health services.”
Another suggestion by the consultants was for patients to pay a small fee to their assigned doctor or GP, which will deter people from visiting their physicians too often and create a backlog of appointments, as well as to earn the NHS some additional revenue, while a higher individual contribution has not been ruled out.
Christophi said that by his calculation, the NHS could be implemented by the middle or late 2008, starting with the introduction of the family GP and treatment, while the rest of the scheme would be introduced rapidly after that.
The initial stages will also see the introduction of the out patients service, together with the medical supplies and pharmacies, while hospital care would follow soon after that.
Mckinsey & Co. are expected to conclude their work by the end of October.
HHAC deputy chairperson Stella Kyriakidou said that during their briefing, the consultants noticed an oversupply of beds and medical equipment.
“What we see is an ailing health sector and the one who suffers most is the ordinary citizen who has the need to feel that he is getting quality medical care for the lowest possible cost,” Kyriakidou added.
— Change at medical association
Dr. Andreas Demetriou, vice president of the Cyprus Medical Association (PIS), was elected head of the body by the majority of the 24 member council, beating his rival candidate Dr. Nicholas Christodoulou.
Demetriou, who takes over after his predecessor, Antonis Vassiliou, was appointed Labour Minister in the Papadopoulos administration, said that the priorities of the new PIS leadership is to proceed with the implementation of the NHS, the creation of a university hospital and the promotion of private-public sector cooperation in order to relieve the state hospitals from their excessive burden.
