The Minister of Health, Neofytos Charalambides, announced on Wednesday that the Council of Ministers approved the bill for the National Ambulance Service and Ambulance Services. This new framework aims to fill the gap in providing pre-hospital care.
After the Council of Ministers’ meeting, Mr. Charalambides said that once the law passes, citizens with sudden illnesses or injuries will get immediate, well-coordinated, and quality assistance. The goal is to save lives, prevent disabilities, lower healthcare costs, and improve mortality rates.
He added that the new law will make the National Ambulance Service a key part of national infrastructure under the Ministry of Health.
“The Service will handle transporting cases to the nearest and most suitable Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E). It will also provide ambulance services for emergencies, urgent needs, health crises, and situations with mass health loss. Additionally, it will manage the Operational Call Coordination Center and the Poison Control Center,” he explained.
He also noted that it will regulate scheduled patient transfers by registered ambulance service providers and targeted emergency pre-hospital care services. There are transitional arrangements in place so that until the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) gains financial and administrative independence or until December 31, 2026, emergency pre-hospital care will still be provided by the Organization.
“This important regulation improves coordination, transparency, and quality of emergency pre-hospital care services. It creates a modern ambulance system for all citizens,” concluded the Minister.
