Diabetes patients urge health minister for zero copayment on medical devices

Patients with diabetes in Cyprus have submitted an open letter to Minister of Health Neofytos Charalampidis, demanding the issuance of a decree ensuring zero copayment for medical technology devices provided through the National Health System (GeSY). Represented by Maria Ioannou in a letter dated September 18, 2026, patients are concerned that a recent tender conducted by the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) could lead to new financial burdens for essential equipment, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems and insulin pumps.

The authors emphasize that these devices are clinical necessities for daily life, not luxury items. They argue that the current trajectory of the HIO tender risks limiting patient access to preferred technology or forcing them to pay for systems that were previously provided without additional costs. The letter, which has been copied to the President of the Republic and the Parliamentary Health Committee, serves as a preemptive call to action. Patients are demanding policy intervention to prevent the potential introduction of fees that would impact the management of their condition, urging authorities to protect access to current standards of care while fostering the integration of newer, more advanced technologies within the state health framework.