The Ministry of Health has submitted the road map for the implementation of the National Health Scheme in Cyprus to the Troika (EC, ECB and the IMF). New Health Minister Philippos Patsalis commented that the NHS will be partially implemented by mid 2015 and will be fully in place by mid 2016.

The implementation of the NHS is included in the terms of the island’s €10bn bailout. Minister Patsalis said the plan included all steps needed for the implementation of the NHS, as well as the reform in the public hospitals and of the Ministry of Health. “Next week will be very important because we will have our lenders in Cyprus, expecting to see the progress we made for the implementation of the NHS and the reforms, but unfortunately we are behind schedule,” he said. Patsalis said the ministry will not request an extension.