Every year, around 30 patients requiring allogeneic transplants are forced to travel abroad for treatment - an emotional and financial burden on both patients and their families. This is due to the absence of national legislation permitting the procedure to be performed in Cyprus.
In recent months, there have been intensive discussions to allow these transplants to take place domestically under a strict legal framework. The Ministry of Health is consulting with all relevant stakeholders on a draft law submitted several months ago by MPs Efthymios Diplaros, Savia Orphanidou, and Charalambos Pazaros. The Ministry returned this week with specific proposals aimed at ensuring tight regulation of hospitals or centres that may be licensed to perform such procedures.
The German Oncology Centre has already expressed its readiness to offer allogeneic transplants. However, in the absence of legislation, it is currently unable to proceed.
Proposals for a regulated framework
Allogeneic transplantation refers to the transfer of cells or organs from a donor to a different recipient. This is a complex and high-risk medical procedure involving complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), transplant rejection, infections due to immunosuppression, and haematological issues. Success depends heavily on donor-recipient compatibility, the patient’s condition, and the experience level of the medical facility.
The latter factor is of particular concern for the Health Ministry. As Karolina Stylianou, senior officer at the State Hospital Laboratory, noted before the House Health Committee, the relatively small number of patients in Cyprus means it is challenging for any centre to maintain a high level of specialisation.
“To avoid an uncontrolled proliferation of transplant centres, we propose that the number of authorised centres be determined by ministerial decree," she said.
In addition, the Ministry is proposing the following:
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A technical committee of experts to review applications for new transplant centres
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A scientific advisory committee to guide the Minister of Health on licensing and regulatory updates
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Strict 24/7 service standards for centres performing allogeneic transplants, along with partnerships with other hospitals for specialised services
Legislative vote on the horizon
The Ministry’s recommendations have broadly received positive reactions from doctors, MPs, and organised patient groups, who will now review the proposals in detail.
The aim is to finalise the draft law and bring it to a plenary vote in the coming weeks, potentially paving the way for allogeneic transplants to finally be performed in Cyprus—reducing both the burden on patients and the health system’s dependence on foreign facilities.