Dialogos

Minister of Health and WHO Regional Director for Europe Visit Latsia Health Center

Published January 28, 2026, 17:04
Minister of Health and WHO Regional Director for Europe Visit Latsia Health Center

The Minister of Health, Neofytos Charalambides, and the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, visited the Latsia Primary Health Care Center. The visit took place within the framework of the High-Level Summit on Mental Health, where the Minister thanked Dr. Kluge for WHO's support to Cyprus, particularly in the preparation of the National Mental Health Strategy. During the visit, the two men toured the Center and were briefed on the management of mental health issues. Mr. Charalambides emphasized that mental health is a priority for the government, as demonstrated by its position on the agenda of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Dr. Kluge, for his part, congratulated the Ministry of Health on the successful organization of the Summit and thanked Cyprus for its initiative. He highlighted that Cyprus has already completed its mental health strategy until 2030, in collaboration with WHO. Furthermore, Dr. Kluge expressed his impression with the way mental health services have been integrated into the provision of primary health care services at the Latsia Center. He stressed the importance of bringing mental health care closer to communities in order to reduce stigma and discrimination.