Cyprus already has more medical schools than it can adequately support with clinical training, the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (DI.P.A.E.) has warned. With four medical schools currently operating across public and private universities, and other institutions recently announcing intentions to establish new schools or expand existing ones, the country faces a critical challenge. This comes at a time when Cyprus still lacks university clinics, due to the absence of relevant legislation.
'More than sufficient'
Citing a letter from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), DI.P.A.E. emphasises that “the existing number of medical schools in Cyprus is already more than sufficient relative to the country’s population and the capacity to provide high-quality clinical education.”
In its statement, the agency stresses that relying on existing clinical structures, which already serve established programmes, cannot be considered adequate for developing new schools. Such practices directly affect the quality of education, patient safety, and the required ratio of students to available clinical placements. DI.P.A.E. reaffirmed its position that the establishment and operation of any new medical school in the Republic of Cyprus require sufficient clinical cases and appropriate teaching structures.
The agency’s statement specifically refers to the WFME letter to DI.P.A.E. dated 15 November 2022, which confirms that the current number of medical schools in Cyprus is already more than sufficient given the population and the capacity to deliver quality clinical education. DI.P.A.E. highlights that the adequacy and diversity of clinical cases are essential for the training of medical students. It also points out that using existing hospital beds in public or private sectors, which already serve established programmes, cannot be considered sufficient. According to DI.P.A.E., this practice directly impacts educational quality, patient safety, and the student-to-clinical-placement ratio, in line with international standards.
Challenges in Cyprus
DI.P.A.E. notes that establishing a new medical school requires specific academic and clinical infrastructure. Among other requirements, new clinical facilities and beds must be created exclusively for educational purposes, alongside adequate academic and student support resources.
Recognising the challenges posed by Cyprus’s limited size and the number of available cases, the agency emphasises that developing new medical programmes also requires international collaborations. Specifically, it calls for strategic partnerships with accredited and internationally recognised clinical centres abroad to ensure students receive full clinical training.
DI.P.A.E. also stresses that no medical school or programme may operate without prior accreditation by the agency itself and full compliance with international quality standards and WFME criteria.
Private sector interest
Interest in developing new medical schools, particularly in the private sector, remains strong. In recent years, several private universities have expressed interest in establishing medical programmes, primarily to attract international students and strengthen their global presence in medical education.
This trend aligns with Cyprus’s broader strategy to develop higher education as an economic sector and a tool for international visibility. However, DI.P.A.E.’s latest intervention raises questions about whether further expansion of medical schools is feasible without simultaneously developing the necessary clinical infrastructure.
Delayed legislation on university clinics
The issue of clinical infrastructure is closely tied to long-standing discussions about the creation of university clinics in Cyprus. The relevant legislation, currently under review by the Health Committee of the House of Representatives, aims to regulate the operation of university clinics and define terms of collaboration between universities and hospitals for education and research purposes.
However, progress on the legislation remains stalled due to significant disagreements among stakeholders, which include:
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Role of private hospitals: Debate over whether university clinics should operate solely within public hospitals or also through partnerships with private hospitals.
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Model for medical education: The University of Cyprus advocates for a full university hospital as a prerequisite for developing a medical school, while private universities prefer a more flexible partnership model with existing hospitals.
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Training of specialist doctors: Concerns that expanding specialist training across multiple hospitals could lead to uncontrolled growth without adequate safeguards.
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Operational costs of university clinics: Hospital doctors’ organisations question who will cover operational costs and whether public hospitals or taxpayers will bear the financial burden.
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Impact on the public health system: Worries that the proposed framework could strain public hospitals and affect the sustainability of the national health service (OKYPY).
This article was originally published in the Politis daily newspaper.