New Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides aims to attract more young people into the nursing profession, emphasising its importance in public health.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- New Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides aims to attract more young people into the nursing profession, emphasising its importance in public health.
Speaking at the annual conference of the nurses’ trade union, Pasynm, he highlighted the urgent need for more skilled professionals in the field. “The goal is to encourage young people to choose a profession of high scientific value, with excellent employment prospects, and a decisive contribution to public health,” he stated.
Charalambides praised nurses and midwives as “pillars of stability, social cohesion, and sustainable development,” asserting that the quality of care and trust in public health systems largely depends on their dedicated work.
He acknowledged the rising demand for specialised nursing and midwifery personnel, noting that the “lack of human resources” is a pressing issue not only in Cyprus but also across Europe and internationally.
To address this challenge, the ministry has initiated specific campaigns aimed at attracting youth to nursing. Collaborating with universities, schools, and social organisations, these efforts have reportedly led to an impressive 85 per cent increase in the enrolment of first-year nursing students.
Charalambides elaborated on the multifaceted nature of the nursing profession, which encompasses scientific knowledge, clinical judgement, and ethical responsibility. He underscored that nurses’ roles extend beyond treatment to include prevention, family support, patient education, and health crisis management.
In a bid to strengthen the nursing workforce, the minister committed to improving staffing levels, enhancing working conditions, recognising specialisations, and supporting the professional development of nurses and midwives.
His comments resonate with the concerns raised recently by the state doctors’ trade union, Pasydy, regarding a significant staffing deficit in public hospitals. Meanwhile, the employers’ and industrialists’ federation (Oev) has cautioned that private clinics may face closures due to ongoing staff shortages.
According to Oev, the “only way out” of this predicament is to recruit nurses from third countries and to ensure that international students studying nursing in Cyprus are integrated into the local healthcare system.
However, local nurses have expressed strong objections to proposals for lowering the minimum Greek language requirement for third-country nationals wishing to practise in Cyprus. Pasydy has emphasised that compromising patient safety and healthcare quality for financial interests is unacceptable.
