Cyprus reports 13% premature birth rate in 2024

In 2024, approximately 13% of all births in Cyprus were classified as premature, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health. Minister of Health Neofytos Charalambidis announced these statistics during a press conference held by the "Neonatal Miracles" association, emphasizing the urgent need to bolster both preventative care and services for mothers and newborns.

To address this challenge, the government is implementing a National Strategy for the Promotion of Normal Birth and the Reduction of Prematurity. This initiative focuses on enhancing service quality, training healthcare professionals, and increasing public awareness. The comprehensive approach covers medical care for women throughout the pregnancy journey, from preconception through the postnatal period, while aiming to ensure equitable access to essential neonatal services for every child.

As part of this ongoing effort, the Ministry of Health is moving forward with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Archbishop Makarios III Hospital. This facility represents a significant investment in specialized neonatal care, intended to substantially strengthen the country's capacity to provide life-saving treatment to premature infants.