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Cabinet Approves Bill For A Patient Advocate 

The Council of Ministers has approved a bill to institute a Patient Advocate, with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, underlining, during the Cabinet meeting, the importance of the health sector as a key priority for the government.

President Christodoulides on 29 August explained that the independent institution of the Patient Advocate will have the authority to examine complaints and claims concerning patients’ rights, not only within the General Healthcare System (GHS) but also outside of it. It will also, he continued, be responsible, among many other things, for providing information and preparing relevant recommendations.

He also noted that the decision also establishes an Advisory Committee, whose mission will be to support the work and actions of the Patient Advocate, while at the same time the role and responsibilities of the Committees for the Examination of Patient Complaints will be strengthened.

Health Minister, Michael Damianos, speaking after the Cabinet meeting said that “with this bill, the Ministry of Health is taking a decisive step towards ensuring the rights of patients, both within and outside the GHS.”

He added that the innovations promoted through the proposed bill are crucial for strengthening patients’ rights and improving the quality of health services in the country.

Damianos urged the House of Representatives to proceed with its vote for the implementation of this important initiative that will have a direct positive impact on society.

The Minister of Health also announced a decree, as of 29 August, to repeal all measures relating to COVID 19 which remained in force, including the use of masks in hospitals and nursing homes.

UnitedHealth Removes DEI Mentions From Website Amid Growing Shift In Corporate Policies

UnitedHealth Group has significantly reduced its public focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by removing related content from its website. 

The reasons for these changes remain unclear, and it’s uncertain whether the removal signals a shift in the company’s policies or simply a change in the language used. A UnitedHealth spokesperson, Tyler Mason, commented that the company continues to support a collaborative environment and mutual respect, which remain integral to its culture and mission to expand access to healthcare services.

The move coincides with a broader trend among major corporations, especially in the tech industry, retreating from DEI programs. This shift is partly in response to executive orders from the Trump administration targeting DEI initiatives in companies receiving federal funding. Some tech giants, including Google and OpenAI, have already scrubbed DEI-related content from their sites.

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