Two Years of GESY

[memory man]

The General Health System (GeSY) which has been hailed as one of the biggest reforms ever in the Republic of Cyprus was introduced in May two years ago.

It is still early to fully assess the outcome of the deep reforms in the Health sector over the past two years, but there is no doubt GeSY meets, to a large extent, its basic goal which is to offer all beneficiaries equal and comprehensive access to quality health services.

Citizens have welcomed GeSY from day one despite the attacks against it which still go on. Those who had predicted GeSY’s collapse or kept warning of an imminent disaster have been proven wrong because the system was embraced by society and has been strengthened, consolidated and on a path of continuous evolution.

In this endless, one-way process, the force of society and of market laws play a significant role. The role of the state – if and when deemed necessary – will only be auxiliary and of a corrective character in a bid to further support the system which is an asset for all.

The Government proves on a daily basis that it practically supports the Health sector in which it invests the maximum. As an example, I would like to remind you that the Ministry of Health’s budget this is close to one billion euros constituting almost 10% of the state’s overall budget.

For two years now, the Republic’s citizens have the Personal Doctor of their choice, through whom they are referred to the Specialist Doctor also of their choice. The large number of Specialist Doctors who have signed contracts with the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) consolidates the right to choose, one that covers the vast majority of medical specialties and almost all medical needs.

The integration of a large number of private hospitals is also a milestone for the development of GeSY. And in combination with the large network of OKYpY public hospitals they enrich the options on offer for all beneficiaries.

Those who doubted to a small or large degree the importance of GeSY should just go back and consider what the health sector was like two years ago. With just a small contribution now and without the stress of financial costs which upset the family budget and cause uncertainty and insecurity all citizens, that is all beneficiaries, every family, have access to quality health services, medicines through the “neighborhood pharmacy” institution as well as diagnostic and laboratory tests.

The numbers are a strong indication: over the past two years a total of 892,134 GeSY beneficiaries have joined a Personal Physician’s list. And 801,107 beneficiaries have visited their personal doctor, in addition to 631,000 beneficiaries who have visited specialist doctors, 655,868 who received medication, 578,249 who have undergone laboratory tests and 76,873 who have received in-patient medical care service.

I recognize that the numbers also indicate an abuse of the system, an anticipated distortion which was recorded in all countries where a new Health System had been introduced. The HIO took various actions and the problem has been alleviated to a great extent but, admittedly, it is still there. However, I would like to remind that abuses were recorded before the implementation of GeSY as well, when citizens were over-charged and over-indebted and with the state suffering serious losses from undeclared income, wasted money and several other ‘pathogens’.

The second anniversary of the implementation of GeSY finds our country trying to step out of the coronavirus health crisis. It would be an omission not to underline the decisive contribution of GeSY in the effective management of the pandemic. I am sure things would have been a lot more difficult without the GeSY database in our hands after the obligatory registration of all medical procedures and the Personal Physician valuable institution.

By defining procedures and protocols, it became easier to deal with suspected and/or positive covid-19 cases while electronic prescriptions to chronic patients who did not have to physically visit a medica centre were solid actions that decongested the Health System and minimized the risk of the pandemic’s spread. Equally important is the contribution of Personal Physicians who now vaccinate beneficiaries.

Two years later, we are confident enough over the path taken, the future of GeSY appears to be optimistic and we feel proud that despite the difficulties and, under extremely unfavorable conditions, we have implemented the decision for the Health sector’s big reform. We still have to add other specialties and services, as well as take corrective actions where necessary towards the contribution of upgrading the health services.

GeSY is an inspirational project for Cyprus, one to be inherited by our children and future generations.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/health- ... s-of-gesy/

[trevnhil]

I must admit that overall it seems to have been a very good thing.. Coincidentally I have never had as much wrong with me in all my life, until the scheme started. But I have been able to get treatment without any problems and with only a month or so wait even in the worst cases..
A visit the the Pharmacist is a lot more expensive than when I went for tablets etc to the Pharmacy at the General Hospital.. But as I said, overall the system is working well..

[Kili01]

I must agree with your post, Trev. Like you I seem to have had more wrong with me than previously. Maybe its something to do with anno dominii. But with a very good P.D. and access to both specialists and scans all has been sorted. Yes, prescription medicines are in general much more expensive than under the old system, and some medicines aren't covered. But overall, I think that Gesy is working very well. Certainly waiting times for both specialists and scans are usually only a matter of days. If you compare this with the long, long waits UK patients on the NHS have to endure, Gesy wins hands down!
Dee

[jeba]

Is there private top-up insurance available in case you want frills (like e.g. a private room) which aren't covered by GESY or a hospital which isn't under contract? In the sense that Gesy pays what they would have paid to a healthcare provider under contract and the top-up insurance covers the balance? Or that if you want a dental implant your private top-up insurance would cover the difference between what GESY would pay and the actual cost?

[trevnhil]

Certainly accessibility to health care her is good.. My daughter who is an NHS staff nurse has waited more then a month to have attention to a sore and inflamed toe.
I run a group in the UK and certainly one of the complaints s not being able to get through on the phone to make an appointment
Things here in Cyprus are a lot better than that. I can usually get to see my GP the same day as asking for an appointment, and if a visit is not needed my GP will often call me back later in the day..

[Kili01]

Hi Jeba
In answer to your queries. I have separate private health insurance which also covers me when I'm away in UK. So far I've had what treatment I needed here covered by Gesy.

Gesy only covers one check up with a dentist per year. So if you need dental implants you would need to pay the dentist direct. Whether your private health insurance will pay for dental expenses will depend on your insurance company.
I suggest that you speak too several providers of health insurance here.

Dee

[Kili01]

Trev,
I have just had two inflamed and infected toe nails dealt with by a Chiropodist here. Is your daughter able to go to a private chiropodist, or is she waiting to see one on the NHS?
My toes were so painful, that I rang several private ones and got, and paid for an immediate appointment.
Dee

[trevnhil]

After waiting for around a month my daughter made an appointment to see a private Chiropodist who is having insoles made for her shoes. A sad reflection on the NHS especially when they can't look after their own staff..

And just to go back to Gesy.. I now go to the Iasis for blood tests.. The last one had 9 items on the list.
They send the results to me via email and they were with me in under 2 hrs ..

Remember blood tests before Gesy at the General.. Tests only between 7am and 9 am.. Queue for stickers on the back of your form.. Get a 'deli' ticket to show where you are in the queue ..
Go back after 12 or 12-30 for the results.. Oh we cannot find them !!!

Gesy is a Big step forward ..

[WHL]

Take a well deserved bow everyone involved in setting it up and working in it, fantastic achievement, considering the costs in running it., considering its only been running for a couple of years, its doing a fantastic job, not forgetting the extra strain, covid is adding to the hospitals and staff.

[jeba]

considering the costs in running it.,

I can´t imagine that the 2.x % of income most people have to contribute are sufficient to finance it. There must be huge tax subsidies.

[MacManiac]

I suspect it will only be a matter of time before contributions will have to rise. 2.7% is nowhere near enough to run the system, which is running really well. Other countries require a much greater contribution to fund their health service I believe. My personal doctor recommended my wife have the second half of a procedure she is undergoing (through GESY) sooner rather than later as she is convinced the money will run out.

[MacManiac]

As I understand it, there is a surplus of over €1,000,000 Companies have to contribute as well as individuals.

That’s good news.

[jeba]

As I understand it, there is a surplus of over €1,000,000 Companies have to contribute as well as individuals.

I doubt that will be enough. To give an idea of the actual cost: Germany's public insurance system is funded almost completely by contributions (very little subsidies from the taxpayer) and there the rate is between 14.9 % - 17% of your salary (depending on which insurance you choose) + another ca. 3% for caregiving insurance (all to be shared between employee and employer).

[andytspencer]

Just compare the price of private health treatments here and in the UK and Germany, factor of two or three (dental, eye doctors etc).

[jeba]

Just compare the price of private health treatments here and in the UK and Germany, factor of two or three (dental, eye doctors etc).

The contributions I quoted for Germany weren´t for private insurance, but the public one. And even private healthcare costs are regulated there and are actually quite reasonable. Doctors can´t charge whatever they want.