Cyprus health authorities to tighten penalties against abuse of the healthcare system

The Health Insurance Organization (HIO) of Cyprus is currently promoting a legislative proposal to introduce stricter penalties for abuses within the General Healthcare System (Gesy). These measures, which are a top priority for the organization, target both healthcare providers and beneficiaries to ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of public resources.

Kyriakos Drousiotis, a member of the HIO Board of Directors and chair of the newly renamed Human Resources Committee, confirmed that the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, which has expressed positive support. The committee, originally established in 2023 to address staffing issues and evaluate control procedures, now focuses on strengthening the system's defenses. It comprises representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Health, the government, the Cyprus Alliance of Rare Disorders (OSAK), and the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB).

This legislative push follows years of organizational efforts to improve administrative oversight and internal staffing. The HIO aims to curb fraudulent practices that compromise the system, with further developments expected as the proposed bill progresses through the legislative process.