Health First
A decade after it was first proposed, a long-awaited National Health Scheme (NHS) aiming to revive an over-stretched health sector, is geared for implementation in the second half of 2011.
But will it finally become reality?
“We are doing all that is necessary since the end of 2005 with the aim of implementing the NHS in Cyprus in the second half of 2011,” said Kyriakos Christofi(Photo), President of the Health Insurance Organisation, the semi-government body charged with getting the scheme up and running.
The previous target date to implement the NHS in Cyprus at the end of 2008 was not met.
Preparation for a scheme first proposed in 2001, has included a strategic study for its implementation by international exports Mackinzie, who also helped with the second phase of preparations for the scheme until last summer.
“the Health Insurance Organisation is now working on its own and will seek the advice of the experts if necessary.” Christofi said.
According to Christofi , who was appointed head of the Health Insurance Organisation at the end of 2005, 58 persons have been employed to prepare for the NHS.
“These persons are divided in eight groups, with each group dealing with a specific sector of the NHS. We have people working for the family doctor sector, specialised doctors, clinical laboratories, hospitals, health professionals, information technology, and internal hospital treatment,” Christofi said.
All amendments to the 2001 law concerning the NHS have been tabled to the House Health Committee which is expected to come up with a report for the House Plenum, as soon as possible.
The Health Insurance Organisation is also cooperating with the Inland Revenue and the Social Insurance Department to ensure that all funding for the scheme is collected in the right way.
As it stands, the implementation of the NHS provides for a 2% contribution by employees (on the basis of their salaries). 2,55% by employers(on the basis of employees’salaries) and 4,55% by the government.
“All policy documents have been prepared for each group dealing with the different sector of the scheme, outlining how each sector will function and a study has also been carried out by the international organisation Mercer, analysing the coast and revenues of the proposed NHS,” said Christofi.
The health Insurance Organisation is currently engaged in a “competitive dialogue” in line with EU directives, with NCR and IBM to establish the scheme’s actual needs for Information Technology.
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