The House of Representatives has unanimously approved the Health Insurance Organization’s budget for 2026. It’s a balanced budget, with both revenues and expenses at €2.129 billion.
During the talks, parliament members stressed the need for more innovative treatments to help patients. They also pointed out the importance of stronger controls to ensure quality services and prevent abuse. There were discussions about sending patients abroad, longer waiting times in some specialties, and recent problems with the health system’s information software. Lawmakers urged for quick fixes.
Most of the budget, which is €2.046 billion, goes directly to health services. This covers provider fees, medicine costs, hospital stays, exams, emergency services, and patient transfers abroad.
Here are the main categories:
- Inpatient care: €698.5 million
- Pharmaceutical products: €477.0 million
- Specialist doctors: €256.0 million
- General practitioners (adults and children): €110.0 million
- Other health professionals & preventive dentistry: €99.3 million
- Laboratory tests: €71.0 million
- Emergency services & ambulances: €57.5 million
- Rehabilitation & palliative care: €32.3 million
- Patient transfers abroad: €31.0 million
- Public Health Services: €38.8 million
- Pharmacists’ fees: €37.1 million
- Medical devices (outpatient): €17.5 million
- Z List medical devices: €115.1 million
- Unforeseen expenses: €5.0 million
Operational Expenses and Organizational Support
The budget also includes:
- Salaries for Health Insurance Organization staff: €7.0 million
- Services for abuse control, costing, legal and advisory services: €6.9 million
- Communication and awareness campaigns: €1.73 million
- Operation and support of the health system’s information system: €12.12 million
The plan includes creating 25 new job positions, bringing the total staff to 226.
The article “Cyprus Health Budget Approved: Focus on Innovation and Quality” first appeared on Philenews.
Source: Philenews
