The Cyprus Observatory for the Elderly expresses complete disappointment over the closure of the country’s first exclusively geriatric clinic.
The organization attributes the closure to reduced reimbursements from the Health Insurance Organization, particularly concerning the care of elderly patients.
In a statement, the Observatory asserts that “when the country’s Health Insurance Organization fails to recognize that the elderly constitute an extremely vulnerable population with specific needs requiring specialized services and a particular approach to care, then no elderly individual can feel secure and confident in receiving proper and comprehensive care without complications.”
The issue of low reimbursements for hospitals catering to the elderly is deemed highly serious, prompting a call for an immediate redesign of the evaluation and compensation methods for the care of elderly patients, especially in cases where specialization is involved.
The statement acknowledges the widely accepted fact that the cost of elderly care is significantly higher compared to younger patients, emphasizing that despite discussions both within and outside the Parliament, the necessary progress has not been achieved.
The Observatory adds that there are numerous cases where, due to economically unfeasible elderly care, individuals either return home without full recovery and supportive services or are sent to public hospitals for further care, or even face rejection under the pretext of unavailable beds.
The Cyprus Observatory for the Elderly urges the Health Insurance Organization to address the issue seriously and resolve it promptly. Simultaneously, it calls upon the state to prioritize the matter of hospital reimbursements and the establishment of geriatric clinics, as the well-being of the elderly population in Cyprus and the effectiveness of the Healthcare System are at stake.
Furthermore, the Cyprus Observatory for the Elderly expresses sincere gratitude to the outgoing Minister of Health, Popi Kanari, for her impeccable collaboration, special sensitivity towards the aging population, and the work she has accomplished.
It also extends best wishes to the new Minister of Health, expressing confidence that the Observatory will support the Ministry of Health in implementing actions outlined in the National Strategy for the Health of the Elderly, recognizing the challenges associated with the task at hand.
