Cyprus is bracing itself as the most radical reform of its national healthcare system launches on Saturday with doctors expecting serious glitches as they believe that hospitals are not ready for the changeover.
Just 24 hours before the General Healthcare System (GHS) kicks-off, the largest shake-up in social welfare, the public doctors union PASIKY, said they expect a series of problems to arise as hospitals are not ready to facilitate the switch.
“It is with sorrow that we inform you that State Hospitals have not been adequately prepared to the extent that they should have by the employers' side,” a PASIKY statement said Friday.
PASIKY added: “Promises and expectations regarding the process which is to see hospitals being autonomous are falling through as the process is still on hold with the state not able to ensure the smooth start of the General Health System.”
Doctors claim they are called to offer their services through a system which has not been properly prepared.
Admitting the GHS launch may not run as smoothly as hoped for, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that problems are to be expected with a reform of such magnitude, while the state is prepared to deal with them.
"There will be some problems and difficulties, especially in the first few months. Some of these have already been foreseen by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) which will be on standby to resolve any issues when and if they arise," said Ioannou.
"Any new reform will certainly encounter problems at first," he said while calling on everyone to "show restraint and understanding over the necessity of a revolutionary reform which will affect the whole of society".
Concerns have also been expressed over whether the software handling the files of patients will be able to handle the load when it goes online Saturday.
As Ioannou noted, HIO staff will be on standby, ready to intervene if something should go wrong.
Explaining how the system will work, Ioannou said that it foresees the introduction of the institution of the Personal General Practitioner which is to rationalize the way we receive health services in Cyprus.
Beneficiaries will have to register online or directly with the GP of their choice. Beneficiaries will visit their GP when needed, with the doctor either prescribing treatment or referring the patient to a specialist within the GHS.
This is designed to relieve the heavy of hospital accident and emergency departments and outpatient flows.
“We are also introducing the ‘neighbourhood pharmacy’ institution for the first time, giving citizens the option to purchase medicines from the pharmacist they know and trust, at the cost of just 1 euro for each drug, thus lifting a significant burden from the family budget of patients,” said Ioannou.
He said the majority of drugs have been included in the state list, which is to be enriched in the coming days.
“Despite what has been circulating the last few days, I want to emphasize that there is enough medicines and patients will receive their medication,” said Ioannou in response to critics saying that a large number of drugs sold by pharmacies will not be available on the GHS.
The minister also noted that each patient will have access to an electronic file containing their medical history, “a tool which will make life easier for doctors”.
