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President hopeful that economic activity could resume by end of Spring

07/04/2021 14:57

President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that economic activity could resume by the end of Spring, given that no unpredicted developments arise on the part of pharmaceutical companies. This will be done by safeguarding citizens’ health and the health system, and in a bid to save the economy, he said during a meeting, at the Presidential Palace, with the members of the scientific advisory team for COVID-19.

Addressing the members of the team, on the occasion of World Health Day, President Anastasiades said that state authorities together with the scientists are charting the path towards the resumption of economic activity.

He also extended his gratitude, on behalf of the state, to the members of the scientific advisory team, for their contribution in the successful handling of the pandemic.

On the occasion of World Health Day, President Anastasiades said that he felt the need to start the day with those who made possible the handling of the pandemic “with absolute success.”

Through your balanced approach, your cool-headed attitude and your informed opinion on the suitability of measures that had to be taken, the Republic of Cyprus earned accolades from the international community and Europe concerning the handling of the pandemic, the President told scientists.

This has not happened by chance, the President went on and said that Cyprus is performing in a way that “makes us all proud.” The vaccination program is being fully utilized, to the extend this is made possible by developments in pharmaceutical companies, President Anastasiades added. He also referred to high testing rates and said that Cyprus ranks second in Europe, in terms of reduced mortality rates.

“This is a great achievement, which was made possible as a result of the excellent cooperation we had, as well as due to your scientific proposals, that provided a guiding factor for government decisions,” he said.

Everything we achieved was possible also due to your scientific advice and contribution, the President told the members of the team in conclusion.

President Anastasiades had a separate meeting on Wednesday with Cyprus’ Federation of Patients Associations, and praised the organization for its contribution to the implementation of the General Healthcare System (GHS) in Cyprus. He underlined, moreover, the importance of cooperation between state authorities and organizations in dealing with health matters.

The President also described the Federation as an “excellent organization”, which made it possible for the state to display a deeper interest for the chronically ill, and provide help “and this thanks to your cooperation.”

Speaking about the introduction of the General Healthcare System, he said that the Federation’s cooperation encouraged the state to proceed with “the most important, revolutionary reform” which provides for all citizens` healthcare since 2019. GHS spending amounts for €780 mln in 2020 and €1.25 bln in 2021, the President added.

“We cannot imagine how we could tackle the pandemic, if there was no GHS” the President stressed, adding that around 30,000 chronically ill patients have already been vaccinated or were proposed to schedule a jab. By the end of Spring, all of them will be inoculated, he concluded.