Seven-year anniversary of the Cypriot general healthcare system Gesy

The PEO trade union marked the seven-year anniversary of the implementation of the General Healthcare System (Gesy) in Cyprus this week. The union characterized the system as a significant social reform born from long-term advocacy by labor groups and patient organizations to provide universal, equitable access to medical care regardless of income. Over the past seven years, the system has provided hundreds of thousands of citizens with previously inaccessible health services. Despite these successes, the union identified ongoing challenges including barriers to physical therapy, rehabilitation, home care, and preventive screenings. PEO advocated for strengthening public hospitals as the backbone of the healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the union called for systemic improvements, specifically the addressing of abuses, the enhancement of service quality, and the implementation of formal capacity planning to assess actual patient needs. To ensure long-term financial sustainability, the union suggested shifting from reserve accumulation toward resource redistribution for patient benefit. Finally, PEO proposed urgent subsidies for non-prescription medications for vulnerable populations and a faster integration of new medical treatments.