The General Health System (GeSY) that was implemented in Cyprus five years ago has improved the quality of life of citizens, 93% of participants in a survey conducted by the IMR-University of Nicosia has said.
Managing Director of IMR-University of Nicosia Christina Kokkalou told CNA that “five years since the implementation of GHS, citizens have embraced the health system and the services are at a high level.”
“People feel GHS has improved the quality of life, they feel they have access to a system that is for everyone,” she added.
Kokkalou said that the survey was conducted in April 2024 and it covered the whole of Cyprus in urban and rural areas, with a sample of 500 people, men and women over 18. The data was collected through telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire.
Asked if GeSY has improved the quality of health services provided to the citizens 92% of participants answered yes, while asked what are in their opinion the greatest benefits for citizens with the implementation of GeSY, 62% answered the reduction/elimination of the cost of access to medical care, 32% said the increase in choices regarding providers of health services, 21% said improving the quality of health services provided and 19% replied reducing time/waiting lists.
Asked what is the most serious weakness of GeSY which acts as a burden for the beneficiaries, 32% answered the waiting list for visiting a doctor or an operation, 24% said the non-coverage of specific types of tests and pharmaceutical treatments, 23% said the need to obtain a referral from a personal physician to visit a specialist physician and 11% said not covering needs in specific specialties.
Invited to say where they sought medical care in the last five years through GeSY or privately, 61% answered through GeSY, 6% privately, 28% both, while 5% said they did not need to seek medical care.
Meanwhile, asked which services offered by GeSY they used in the last two years, 94% said a visit to a personal physician, 80% a visit to a specialist physician, 75% said they received medication, 71% said they received laboratory and diagnostic services, 54% said they visited a dentist, 35 % replied they visited another health professional, 20% said they received inpatient care (hospitalisation), and 8% replied they received rehabilitation services.
