Cyprus cabinet approves national blood strategy

On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a new national blood strategy designed to modernize, digitize, and improve the resilience of the country's blood services. Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides stated that the initiative aims to ensure the adequacy, safety, and quality of blood and blood products, aligning the national system with international and European standards.

The strategy is structured around five core pillars: the management of blood stocks and needs, the organization of services, haemovigilance, quality control and supervision, and the promotion of innovation and digitalization. A key goal of the policy is to encourage voluntary blood donation and guarantee equitable patient access to blood services. To oversee the implementation, evaluate progress, and address potential challenges, a monitoring committee will be established. This committee will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Blood Centre, blood banks, the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), the Pancyprian Association of Private Hospitals, the Cyprus Haematology Society, and the Federation of Patients’ Associations of Cyprus.

During the announcement, Minister Charalambides also touched upon broader healthcare issues, including discussions with medical students regarding university clinics and ongoing efforts to address nursing staff shortages, which include the potential for recruiting personnel from third countries.