Around 900 new cases of neurological and genetic diseases were diagnosed in Cyprus in 2020, according to the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING).
At the same time, its biomedical laboratories performed 16,300 exams after referrals from doctors of various specialties, providing accurate diagnoses of serious diseases for approximately 6,200 cases involving adults, children and prenatal examinations.
A press release issued by the CING outlining the work carried out in 2020, notes that it has offered tens of thousands of specialised services last year, despite the great difficulties it faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It described 2020 as a “challenging year” for the CING as the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine was in the frontline of efforts to handle the unprecedented health crisis. The School undertook all molecular tests to locate COVID-19 cases. It was also the first accredited laboratory on the island to carry out laboratory tests to detect COVID-19 cases, proving once again the Institute’s great specialisation and readiness to support the state and help society in time of need.
The Department performed about 200 thousand COVID-19 tests last year both for tracking purposes and for the public.
The Clinical and laboratory Services served around 6,000 patients from the 14,000 registered in CING. These patients received around 29 thousand services. Around 900 new cases of neurological and genetic diseases were diagnosed, it added.
The services offered by the Clinical and Laboratory Services include specialised services in the fields of Neurology and Genetics and are offered through multidisciplinary medical and paramedical specialties. The Clinic consists of specialised Neurological Centres and Laboratories, Neurology Clinic, physiotherapy with the latest equipment, pharmacy and Social Worker services. Associate doctors of other specialties as well as other health professionals also offer their services to CING.
The CING’s biomedical laboratories performed 16,300 exams after referrals from doctors of various specialties, providing accurate diagnoses of serious diseases for approximately 6,200 cases involving adults, children and prenatal examinations.
The services provided by the Biomedical Laboratories of the Institute concern the diagnosis of a wide range of serious diseases, offering pioneering diagnostic services of molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular pathology, molecular virology and more. “It was admittedly a special year, full of challenges in scientific and social terms,” ​​said Chief Medical Director, Professor Leonidas Fylaktou.
“Once again, we have proven the important role the Institute plays, as a reliable organisation providing specialised services to the state and society, especially at a critical juncture,” he concluded.
