WHO releases report on strengthening primary healthcare in Cyprus

On August 7, 2026, the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) of Cyprus welcomed the publication of a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) titled 'Strengthening primary health care and reducing overprovision of low-value specialist care: policy options for Cyprus'. The report was developed through a technical assistance project coordinated by the Ministry of Health in close cooperation with the HIO.

The study utilized data provided by the HIO covering the period from 2020 to 2024. Its core objective is to propose policy options to enhance primary healthcare and mitigate the excessive use of low-value specialized medical services. According to the HIO, these recommendations align with their existing strategic planning for the ongoing upgrade of the General Healthcare System (Gesy).

Before the publication of this study, the HIO had already initiated several reforms consistent with the WHO's findings. These include the development of quality indicators, the implementation of clinical guidelines, and the establishment of remuneration models linked to quality criteria for providers. Furthermore, the organization is currently leveraging data analysis and artificial intelligence to identify systemic distortions and improve control mechanisms.