Cyprus’ General Healthcare System (GESY) has significantly broadened access to health services, but the key challenge now lies in whether the system can adequately meet rising demand, according to findings by a European Parliament committee.
This shift in focus – from access to capacity – is highlighted in an information note on public health in Cyprus prepared following a visit by the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Health last month. The note reviews developments since the introduction of GESY and identifies a series of challenges linked to the system’s operational resilience.
The rollout of GESY has led to increased use of health services as coverage expanded across the population. This, in turn, has generated higher demands related to service organisation, resource allocation and the availability of human resources. Experts underline the need to further strengthen the system through reforms in public hospitals, the development of e-health solutions, and the introduction of quality and performance indicators in provider payment mechanisms. The report also stresses the importance of standardised medical protocols and clinical guidelines to improve efficiency and consistency in care delivery.
Staffing shortages raise alarm
The committee places particular emphasis on human resources, pointing to imbalances in the distribution of healthcare staff. In recent years, more doctors have chosen to work in the private sector, while shortages persist in the public system.
Specialties such as internal medicine, cardiology and orthopaedics continue to attract strong interest, while others – including pulmonology, rheumatology, psychiatry and paediatric-related specialties – face lower uptake, despite growing patient needs.
Nursing shortages also emerge as a serious concern, one expected to intensify in the coming years. Two factors are driving the trend: a significant number of nurses nearing retirement and the steady increase in private clinics, radiology centres and healthcare facilities competing for staff.
Behind the indicators
Overall, Cyprus presents strong baseline health indicators, including a high life expectancy of around 81–82 years and generally positive self-assessed health among the population. However, the report notes that structural weaknesses remain.
Key challenges include the management of chronic diseases, workforce imbalances, underdeveloped long-term care services and insufficient emphasis on prevention. Only about 5 percent of total health spending in Cyprus is directed towards long-term care, compared with an EU average of 18 percent. Spending on prevention stands at just 2 percent, versus 4 percent across the EU.
Chronic disease burden
Managing chronic conditions is identified as one of the most pressing challenges for the health system. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes rank among the leading causes of illness and mortality, placing sustained pressure on services.
This burden is closely linked to persistently high risk factors in the population, notably smoking and obesity, which remain key determinants of health and directly influence demand for care.
The findings reinforce the need to strengthen preventive policies, which currently remain limited in both funding and scope. Addressing chronic disease, the committee notes, requires not only treatment but also reducing risk factors through targeted public health interventions.
Ageing population adds pressure
Population ageing is expected to further intensify pressure on the health system by increasing demand for care, particularly for patients with chronic and multiple conditions. The report identifies demographic change as a central factor shaping the future of healthcare in Cyprus.
Long-term care, in particular, remains significantly underdeveloped compared with EU standards. The low share of spending in this area underscores the need to expand related services.
The committee also highlights the importance of better planning and organisation of care services, alongside stronger links between healthcare and social care, to ensure a more integrated and effective response to the needs of an ageing population.