Cyprus Integrity Forum meets with Health Minister on enhancing Healthcare System transparency

Health Minister Michalis Damianos, Permanent Secretary Dr Elisabeth Constantinou, the President of Cyprus Integrity Forum Marios Skandalis and CIF member Dr Stelios Hadjichristofis recently met at the Health Ministry to discuss issues related to enhancing transparency and more effective management of the resources of the General Healthcare System (GHS), with the main aim of addressing corruption and abuse.

Among other things, the following were discussed:

• The need for immediate implementation of a Medical Audit mechanism, which will contribute to ensuring the medical necessity of the services provided within the framework of the National Healthcare System and will enhance transparency regarding possible excesses, abuses or overcharges.
• The possibility of establishing a special independent committee with the participation of experienced health professionals and with the participation of CIF as an observer, thus strengthening its institutional role.
• Reference was also made to the Bill on the Patient Ombudsman currently under consultation. The need for adequate public information about this institution was strongly expressed, with a note that this will not be only be a channel for submitting complaints, but a tool that will have a substantial impact on improving the quality of services and containing costs. On this basis, the need for institutionalisation of the Medical Audit was expressed., something which can function as a more substantial and systemic "advocate" for both patients and the Healthcare System itself, providing documented data and enhancing the effective utilisation of available resources.

Skandalis and Dr. Hadjichristofis expressed their readiness for close cooperation with the Ministry of Health, guided by ethics in healthcare, the protection of citizens and the protection of the National Healthcare System as a public and sustainable benefit for all.