Address by the Minister of Health Mr Michael Damianos on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus at the 38th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of Medical Association

It a great pleasure for me to address you on the 38th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of Medical Associations, hosted by the Pancyprian Medical Association.

The subject of this year’s annual meeting is the “Threats to the Medical Profession". What will be discussed are issues with respect to the independence of medical associations, discrimination within health systems, and the application of Artificial Intelligence.

The medical profession’s main threats arise from technological, social, economic and political changes, which require collective and systematic responses. Excessive workload, increased bureaucratic procedures, demands for constant professional information, increased social, economic and legal pressures, commercialisation of medicine, and burnout are certain main threats.

Personal safety and security at work are also areas for discussion as incidents of violence or intimidation against health professionals by patients or their families are recorded, mainly in Accident and Emergency Units.

It is the state’s duty to undertake collective initiatives to support and protect the medical profession so that healthcare providers are able to offer high quality care for the benefit of patients.

Medical Associations operate in the interest of people’s health and promote the medical profession, while ensuring professional accountability and adherence to ethical principles by their members.

The independence of medical associations is a crucial and fundamental issue both for the protection of patients’ interests and for promoting high quality medical practice. Independence means, between others, being free from political, economic or other external interference which could affect the certification of their members or decisions concerning the ethics of the profession.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our collective duty is to promote and preserve the credibility of doctors and medical associations. At the same time, discrimination within the health system may also affect the quality of health care. Discrimination could mean unequal or unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or socioeconomic status. Discrimination can manifest itself in various ways such as refusal to provide services, delays in treatment, inadequate care, or biased attitudes by healthcare professionals.

We must contribute to combating all forms of discrimination in the health sector, through gaining a global understanding of the problem. Dialogue with affected groups and intense discussion with all stakeholders will assist in seeking solutions for eliminating discrimination.

Finally, the use of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, despite its various benefits, raises serious bioethical and ethical dilemmas. Technology cannot replace the importance of human contact.

Dear Friends,

It is with great respect and appreciation that I welcome our distinguished foreign speakers today, whose participation ensures the success of this meeting. I wish you all a pleasant stay in our beautiful country.

I would also like to congratulate the Cyprus Medical Association and all those who contributed to this 38th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of Medical Associations.