**The CARE FOR RARE Project Steering Committee Assesses Progress and Outlines Next Steps for Implementation**
The Karaiskakis Foundation held the Annual Meeting of the Steering Committee for the CARE FOR RARE project today, bringing together representatives from the Swiss Embassy in Cyprus, the Swiss-Cyprus Cooperation Program, project partners, and key national stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting was to review the project's progress and to strategize the next phases of its implementation.
Participants began the meeting with a tour of the temporary facilities established for the CARE FOR RARE project. This tour provided attendees with insights into the specialized clinical and support services currently available to individuals living with rare diseases, pending the completion of the permanent CARE FOR RARE Center.
During the meeting, the Steering Committee presented an overview of the project's achievements and objectives for 2025 and the first half of 2026. Key topics included project governance, infrastructure development, financial planning, communication strategies, and the ongoing enhancement of specialized services for patients with rare diseases.
The CARE FOR RARE project has already made significant strides in improving access to comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for patients. This has been achieved through the recruitment of specialized healthcare professionals, the expansion of genetic counseling services, and the organization of regular interdisciplinary meetings. Additionally, the project has developed specialized outreach clinics and strengthened collaborations with healthcare providers across Cyprus.
In conjunction with these developments, the Steering Committee emphasized the importance of ongoing information and awareness-raising activities aimed at increasing knowledge about rare diseases among healthcare professionals and the general public.
Looking ahead, the committee discussed the next steps in the project's implementation. This includes continuing the bidding and awarding process for the construction of the permanent CARE FOR RARE Center, procuring specialized medical equipment, further expanding patient services, and launching new initiatives focused on information, education, and awareness.
The overarching goal of the CARE FOR RARE project is to establish a comprehensive and sustainable national framework for the diagnosis and management of rare diseases. This framework aims to provide genetic counseling services, multidisciplinary care, and holistic support to patients and their families, significantly enhancing access to high-quality specialized health services for all individuals affected by rare diseases in Cyprus.
The Karaiskakis Foundation expressed gratitude to the Government of Switzerland, the Swiss-Cyprus Cooperation Program, project partners, and all stakeholders for their ongoing collaboration and support. Their contributions are vital in implementing an initiative that aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with rare diseases and their families.
As the CARE FOR RARE project progresses, it continues to build a foundation for better healthcare access and support for a vulnerable segment of the population, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the challenges posed by rare diseases.