Sigma Live

Parliament Approves Bill for Palliative Care Regulation

Published March 19, 2026, 17:12
Parliament Approves Bill for Palliative Care Regulation

The Parliament unanimously approved the bill “The Regulation of the Provision of Palliative Care Law of 2025,” establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the operation and supervision of palliative care centers in Cyprus. The law defines the conditions for establishing and operating these facilities, service standards, and control mechanisms, while strengthening patient rights by requiring consent from patients and their families for participation in care. Additionally, it increases the number of beds in hospital units, introduces special provisions for pediatric patients, and strengthens licensing and supervision criteria. Transitional arrangements are included for existing facilities, such as the hospitals of the OKYpY. Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of palliative care as a key pillar of a human-centered healthcare system, with some arguing that the state should have primary responsibility for its provision.