HeartSafe Cyprus initiative launched to increase public access to defibrillators

The HeartSafe Cyprus initiative was officially launched on October 20, 2026, at the Nicosia City Hall, aiming to improve cardiac arrest response and prevention. As part of this program, the Rotary Club of Nicosia Leukothea delivered four public-access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the municipalities of Nicosia, Strovolos, and Latsia-Yeri.

The project focuses on educating citizens in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and increasing the availability of life-saving equipment in public spaces. Rotary Club President Michalis Kyprianou and Dr. Irshad Shaikh from the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that the initiative empowers the public with the skills necessary to save lives. According to WHO data, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths daily in the European region, accounting for 42.5% of all deaths.

This program is a component of the broader EU Safe Hearts Plan, which seeks to install over 20 new defibrillators annually in Cyprus over a five-year period. Success will be measured by both the number of devices installed and the level of public training in emergency response, according to Polys Polykarpou of the Ministry of Health.