MPs Approve Continued State Support for Okypy until 2026

Strategic Insights -

The Cyprus House of Representatives has decided to permit the government to maintain financial support for the state health services organization (Okypy) until the end of next year. This decision was made after Okypy presented an action plan for self-funding, which had previously been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The organization's executive director, Kypros Stavrinides, assured lawmakers that the plan aims to correct previous setbacks and ensure the general health system (Gesy) does not suffer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Okypy will continue to receive financial support from the state until the end of 2026, as agreed upon by MPs in a House health committee meeting.
  • The organization's executive director, Kypros Stavrinides, emphasized that Okypy is not seeking a "blank cheque" but rather additional time to implement its action plan, launched in 2024.
  • Stavrinides attributed the delay to the Covid-19 pandemic, which impacted the organization's plans.
  • Visitations to state hospitals have rebounded to 2019 levels, contradicting claims of the hospitals' poor state.
  • Committee chair Efthymios Diplaros (Disy) praised Okypy for acknowledging its problems, which he saw as a positive step towards addressing issues.
  • The decision was taken by the cabinet in late May 2024, with Health Minister Michalis Damianos stating that the 2025 deficit was estimated at £40 million and £30 million for 2026.
  • Part of the funding for Okypy's deficit was covered by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Statistics:

  • £40 million: estimated deficit for Okypy in 2025
  • £30 million: estimated deficit for Okypy in 2026
  • 2019: year in which visitations to state hospitals rebounded to pret pandemic levels
  • May 2024: timeframe in which Okypy launched its action plan
  • 2026: end of the period for which Okypy will continue to receive state support

Sources:

  • "MPs agree to let state health service cover Okypy deficits until end of 2026"
  • "Okypy to continue receiving financial support from state"
  • "Government to continue funding Okypy's deficits until end of 2026"
  • "Health Minister Damianos: Okypy deficit will be covered by Recovery and Resilience Fund"