The landscape for doctors and patients in Cyprus could be significantly reshaped under two legislative proposals currently under public consultation, aimed at modernising the healthcare sector and aligning the country's legal framework with current needs.
At the centre of the reforms is the formal recognition of 12 medical subspecialties, alongside provisions allowing the temporary licensing of doctors from third countries to treat patients travelling to Cyprus for medical care.
The proposals go beyond simply adding new titles to an official register. For the first time, clear training and assessment requirements would be established for fields already practised in Cyprus but lacking a comprehensive recognition framework. Transitional arrangements are also included for doctors who have already acquired training and experience in those areas.
Twelve new subspecialties
The proposed list includes Interventional Radiology and Diabetology, as well as 10 paediatric subspecialties:
- Paediatric Intensive Care
- Developmental Paediatrics
- Paediatric Allergy
- Paediatric Gastroenterology
- Paediatric Endocrinology
- Paediatric Nephrology
- Paediatric Oncology and Haematology
- Paediatric Pulmonology
- Paediatric Rheumatology
- Paediatric Cardiology
Under the proposals, Diabetology would require two years of additional training following specialisation in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics.
Through transitional provisions, recognition would also be available to doctors already practising in the field, provided they possess recognised postgraduate training, relevant clinical and research experience, or academic qualifications. Applications would be assessed by a special committee, which could require examinations where necessary.
A similar system is proposed for Interventional Radiology. The subspecialty would require two years of additional training either during or after Radiology specialisation, bringing total training to at least seven years.
For practising radiologists, recognised foreign qualifications, European certifications and existing specialist-interest credentials would be taken into account.
Most paediatric subspecialties would require three years of additional training after obtaining a paediatrics specialty. The exception is Paediatric Intensive Care, which would require two years of subspecialty training and could also be accessed from other primary specialties under certain conditions.
Opening the door to third-country doctors
The second legislative proposal concerns the granting of temporary licences to doctors from outside the European Union.
Under the changes, these physicians would be allowed to provide services in Cyprus only to patients who are not permanent residents of the Republic and who travel specifically to receive treatment from a particular doctor.
The amendment would abolish the existing requirement for the Medical Council to first determine whether the same services are already available from a doctor in Cyprus.
As a result, a patient travelling from abroad for surgery or other treatment could be accompanied by the physician already overseeing their care, with that doctor obtaining a temporary licence solely for that purpose.
The measure forms part of broader efforts to facilitate and expand medical tourism in Cyprus.
