Cyprus Medical - Reproductive and
Sexual Health
Many Cypriots as well as foreigners seek help with family planning. Some couples come to Cyprus solely for IVF treatment (In Vitro Fertilisation). Cyprus has been providing a high level of IVF treatment for over 15 years by expert doctors implementing International protocols and using state of the art equipment.
Treatments available offer value for money in comparison to UK and other EU countries, and include assisted reproduction technologies which cover;
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In Vitro Maturation
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Frozen Embryo Replacement
Egg Donation
Sperm Donation
Pre – Implantation Genetic Diagnosis & Screening (PGD)
The Ministry of Health has the main responsibility & authority over clinics that offer IVF services, which must comply with all quality and safety requirements and standards. Services are also offered to post menopausal women who may have been refused treatment in other countries.
There is of course the other side of sexual health in Cyprus that is relating to sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) and HIV / AIDS. The prevalence of these in Cyprus is relatively low, however the large number of abortions known to be taking place in Cyprus, even though the practice is still illegal, is presumably used as an alternative method of contraception, which might indicate inadequate levels of information to the public with regard to family planning and safe sex.
Cyprus put in place an HIV / AIDS Strategic Plan which was to cover the five year period from 2004 to 2008. The purpose of the plan was;
1. to make a situation analysis with regard to HIV/AIDS
2. to describe the response to the epidemic so far and
3. to propose a strategic framework for future action
However, as of October 2009, we are not aware of any strategic framework for future action by the Cyprus Government.
According to the Euro HIV Index 2009 (EHIVI) which is the first of these reports, and released in October 2009, which is a survey of HIV policy and best practice amongst EU member countries, Cyprus was ranked 26th out of 29 which is a very poor score. The report offers some points as to where Cyprus must improve access to care for HIV and Aids sufferers.
The most recent report available from the Ministry of Health for the number of HIV / AIDS infected people in Cyprus was estimated to be between 400 – 500. The Government estimate of HIV infected Cypriots is 240, however as no real data is kept, this number is believed to be much higher. The main mode of transmission is sexual intercourse, with a 50/50 ratio between those reporting a heterosexual and those reporting a homosexual risk of infection.
We strongly urge you to practice safe sex; condoms are available to buy in many places such as kiosks, supermarkets, pharmacies, and from machines in pubs and night clubs. If you think you may have caught an STD, please go and get tested immediately. You can find a list of private doctors who specialise in dermatology and venereology on the Cyprus Society of Dermatology and Venereology website. Any person can visit any of these doctors to be tested and treated, however this is not free.
HIV / AIDS testing is offered free of charge in Cyprus at The Gregorios Clinic Foundation in Larnaca. Partner notification is not mandatory. For further information you can call the AIDS Advisory Center - Tel: 22 305 155.