**Akel Calls for Comprehensive Assessment of National Health Scheme Gesy**
In a recent meeting held on Friday, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides and Akel Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou discussed the pressing need for a comprehensive evaluation of Cyprus's national health scheme, known as Gesy. The conversation focused on the scheme's current challenges and its overall effectiveness in providing healthcare services to the population.
Stefanou emphasized the importance of Gesy, stating that despite ongoing issues such as shortcomings and distortions, the scheme has demonstrated its capability to offer universal and equitable access to healthcare, irrespective of individuals' status or income. He described Gesy as a significant achievement for society and expressed his party's commitment to safeguarding and enhancing the system.
During the meeting, Stefanou highlighted the necessity of conducting a thorough assessment of the health system to better understand its development and to inform future policy decisions. He pointed out that such an evaluation would help ensure that the healthcare needs of the population are met efficiently and sustainably while maintaining high-quality services.
The discussion also addressed the increasing number of applications for the establishment of new hospitals across the Republic, which are expected to add hundreds of beds to the healthcare system. Stefanou noted that these developments underscore the importance of evaluating the current healthcare landscape to effectively manage the expansion.
Additionally, Stefanou raised concerns regarding the acquisition of hospitals by investment funds, stressing the need to guarantee the sustainability of public hospitals. He argued that public hospitals must be able to fulfill their social function and remain competitive within the healthcare sector. He called for state support to bolster public hospitals' efforts, ensuring they can compete effectively against private sector entities for the benefit of society.
The meeting concluded with Stefanou describing the dialogue with Charalambides as constructive and promising. He indicated that discussions regarding the future of Gesy and the healthcare sector would continue both within and outside of parliament, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges facing the national health scheme.
As the conversation around Gesy evolves, the call for a comprehensive assessment signals a proactive step towards ensuring that the national health system can adapt to the changing needs of the population while maintaining its core values of accessibility and quality.