Cyprus Highlights Population-Based Cancer Screening Programmes at WHO Meeting

Strategic Insights -

Cyprus' Minister of Health, Michael Damianos, presented the country's population-based cancer screening programmes in detail at a recent meeting of the Small States Initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Region for Europe. The meeting took place in Slovenia on May 12-13, and focused on formulating the European Work Programme for the WHO European Region for 2026-2030. Damianos discussed the country's implemented and upcoming cancer screening programmes, as well as issues in personalized and preventive care and the economics of health systems. The meeting also saw Cyprus' significant contribution to the discussions, with the Minister of Health of Slovenia, Valentina Prevolnik Rupel, expressing gratitude for Cyprus' input.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Small States Initiative, established in 2013, brings together 12 member states of the WHO Region for Europe with a population of up to two million inhabitants, to address common health sector challenges and share best practices.
  • Cyprus' Minister of Health, Michael Damianos, presented the country's population-based cancer screening programmes, including those currently implemented and those expected to be implemented soon.
  • The Minister also addressed issues related to personalized and preventive care, as well as the economics of health systems.
  • Damianos exchanged views with counterparts on good practices and strategies for building national health systems.
  • The meeting focused on formulating the European Work Programme for the WHO European Region for 2026-2030.

Statistics:

  • The Small States Initiative has 12 member states with a population of up to two million inhabitants.
  • The WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, participated in the meeting.
  • Cyprus has implemented and is implementing population-based cancer screening programmes.
  • The meeting focused on developing the European Work Programme for the WHO European Region for 2026-2030.

Sources:

Source 1 - A press release by the Ministry of Health of Cyprus; Source 2 - The Small States Initiative of the WHO Region for Europe