Commerce union Pasydy on Monday expressed their fury on the omission of a beforehand touted second part of development of a brand new psychiatric hospital at Athalassa from authorities plans to spend money on Cyprus’ well being sector.
The federal government had introduced on the finish of final month a complete of €128 million of spending to improve Cyprus’ well being infrastructure between now and 2027, and whereas the union mentioned it welcomed the “general improve”, the shortage of plans to improve psychological well being infrastructure “undermines psychological healthcare in our nation”.
“A brand new psychiatric hospital is a key pillar for managing the rising wants on this sector, which has been dramatically burdened in recent times as a result of pandemic, in addition to financial strain and social adjustments,” they mentioned.
They added that the completion of the second part of development is “important for the hospital’s full operation and the peace of mind of high quality psychological well being companies”.
As well as, they mentioned the venture’s omission from the plans “raises questions concerning the strategic priorities and dedication to supporting psychological well being”.
As such, they known as on the federal government to evaluate the plans and embrace the hospital’s second part in them – a transfer which they need to “guarantee the excellent improvement of the psychological well being system”.“Funding on this sector is an funding in social cohesion, the wellbeing of unusual folks, and the discount of social prices. Psychological well being shouldn’t be a marginal precedence, however a central pillar of nationwide coverage,” they mentioned.
The primary part of the venture was completed in October at a complete price of simply over €10m, with the federal government saying it “offers fashionable constructing amenities which is able to contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals with psychological well being issues, respecting their dignity and rights”.
Earlier within the yr, Well being Minister Michael Damianos had insisted that the federal government’s present precedence is “undoubtedly” psychological well being, and pointed to the creation of a nationwide technique for actions pertaining to “destigmatisation, prevention, therapy, and reintegration” for folks affected by psychological well being issues.
“By means of strategic planning, systematic informing of individuals and elevating of consciousness have additionally been promoted, whereas new initiatives to look after folks coping with psychological well being issues may also be launched,” he mentioned.
The technique’s creation had been introduced by Damianos’ predecessor Popi Kanari a yr in the past. She had mentioned on the time that whereas “slender timeframes” had been given for it to be devised and applied, the timeframes in query have been “possible”.
She mentioned a committee has already been created involving all of the related stakeholders, and that the creation of the technique would assist to assist the sector which, she mentioned, has been “a bit forgotten” traditionally.
