Health Minister Neofytos Charalambides highlighted on Thursday the importance of cooperation between public and private hospitals in addressing staffing and training needs.
Addressing the Annual General Assembly of the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals in Nicosia, he said the inclusion of private hospitals in the General Healthcare System had broadened beneficiaries’ access to services and specialised care. Their further development, he added, was linked to the country’s ability to meet healthcare needs.
“That is why cooperation with the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN) has a significant place in the Health Ministry’s policy,” he noted.
Key for economy
The Minister said supporting the development of hospitals requires combining investment in new treatments and infrastructure with staff specialisation and the organisation of care. In this context, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Ministry provided financial incentives amounting to five million euros for the procurement of modern medical equipment and two and a half million euros for the accreditation of private hospitals.
“These two interventions link technological upgrading with internationally recognised quality and safety standards. Their consistent implementation, together with the evaluation of clinical outcomes, helps hospital administrations and scientific teams identify where improvements are needed,” the Minister said, stressing the need for reliable data and for the particular characteristics of each hospital’s cases to be taken into account.
Charalambides also said that upgrading hospitals was important for the economy, since investment in facilities and equipment, as well as their day-to-day operation, creates demand for products and services and supports businesses and professionals in various sectors. He made particular reference to the creation of highly specialised jobs.
Sustainable operations
According to the Minister, private hospitals offer employment and career development opportunities for doctors, nurses and other health professionals, as well as administrative and technical staff. Their development gives more scientists and professionals the opportunity to put their knowledge to use in Cyprus.
For their contribution to health and the economy to continue, he stressed, hospitals must operate sustainably. The state has a duty to ensure clear rules and consistency in their implementation, while taking actual operating conditions into account.
“A stable framework enables hospital administrations to plan their expenditure, staffing and investments. The adequacy of human resources is a critical issue for this planning,” he said.
Staffing issues
The Minister noted that existing shortages must be mapped and future needs by speciality assessed, in cooperation with providers, educational institutions and professional bodies. The common goal, he said, is to attract and retain experienced professionals, with opportunities for continuous training and career development.
“Staffing adequacy and training concern the entire health system. Cooperation between public and private hospitals can make a substantial contribution to addressing these issues by drawing on the knowledge and experience available on both sides,” he said.
He identified joint training, the exchange of expertise and coordinated preparation for emergencies as specific areas of cooperation. For these efforts to be effective, he added, the objectives and responsibilities of each side must be agreed, while respecting the autonomy of the organisations. “The patient is the ultimate beneficiary,” he concluded.
Source: CNA
