Health is among the most critical pillars of the government’s social policy, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday during the inauguration of new facilities at Paphos General Hospital.
The upgrades include a renovated Accident and Emergency Department, a short-stay ward and a new infectious diseases unit, aimed at addressing long-standing needs in the district and strengthening the hospital’s operational capacity.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President said the government continues to invest in healthcare with a focus on both infrastructure and the quality of services provided. He noted that the interventions go beyond buildings, pointing to the installation of modern, state-of-the-art equipment and the ongoing training of medical and nursing staff.
Christodoulides said total investment in the sector exceeds €150 million, stressing that spending on health and education should be viewed as an investment in people and society rather than a fiscal cost. He added that the government’s economic policy allows for sustained support to key sectors, including healthcare.
Referring to ongoing reforms, the President said efforts to improve the functioning of emergency departments have already produced tangible results, particularly in reducing waiting times through measures such as the introduction of fast-track clinics for non-urgent cases. He acknowledged that problems had been recorded in the past, but said these were being addressed through targeted interventions across public hospitals.
He added that further upgrades are planned in Limassol and Larnaca, in cooperation with the State Health Services Organisation, as part of a broader strategy to modernise public healthcare facilities nationwide.
The President also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to healthcare across Cyprus, regardless of location, pointing to the planned hospital in Polis Chrysochous as a key project for improving services in more remote areas.
He said the projects in Paphos enhance the hospital’s autonomy, reduce the need for patient transfers to other districts and improve both the quality and speed of care for residents.
In remarks during the ceremony, officials involved in the project described the upgrades as part of a wider effort to modernise public hospitals, responding to growing demand driven by population increases, tourism and broader development in the Paphos district.
Source: CNA