WHO/Europe has opened a new country office in Cyprus in line with commitments made in October 2022. Cyprus has one of the healthiest populations in the WHO European Region and can make a huge contribution to the work of WHO/Europe and other countries in the region.
Opening with Mr Michalis Hadjipantela, Minister of Health and Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said: In the field of regional and subregional public health, you can imagine what we did at WHO for Cyprus What a joy to be invited by the government to open a country office here. “
Dr Kluge added: “WHO’s full-time presence in Cyprus means we can support all aspects of public health upon request and draw on your extensive experience and expertise. This new country office will be a A platform for dialogue across the region.”
Together with the Regional Director, Mr Hadjipantela said: “The World Health Organization’s Cyprus office in Larnaca will raise the standards of health services in Cyprus and the wider region, and is an appropriate response to the expectations of our citizens, who want to see Cyprus join forces with the rest of the world. The most respected international organizations work closely together to benefit our most precious commodity: health.”
In addition to consolidating WHO’s 13th General Program of Work and the European Program of Work in WHO/European collaboration with governments, the WHO Country Office in Cyprus will be the center for strengthening geopolitical importance and interregional cooperation. catalyst. Cross-border health security, especially infectious disease threats from emerging and re-emerging pathogens.
honoring health workers
During the country visit, the Regional Director also participated in an awards ceremony that focused on the role of health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking there, Dr Kruger said: “Throughout the ages and especially during the most recent pandemic, health workers have been on the front line caring for the sick and coping with unprecedented levels of stress and grief. We salute you as you will Put the health of others above your own.”
Like other countries, health workers in Cyprus have stepped up to care for people during the pandemic, often at great personal risk. Dr Kluge reiterated the importance of investing in healthcare systems – especially given the challenges facing the health workforce across the region, as detailed in the 2022 WHO report “Healthcare workforce in Europe: time for action” .
