Paphos looking to tap into medical tourism

February 13, 2017

A Paphos businessman has set his sights on making his hometown a hot destination for medical tourism after announcing plans to construct a diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation centre in the Oreites community of Souskiou.

Apostolos Fotiou’s planned  5,772m2 centre will encompass two floors of facilities including 60 beds for patients, on-site staff accommodation, a physiotherapy centre and gym, offices, and a pharmacy, amongst other. Parking for 232 cars, meanwhile, will take up some of the total 15,307m2 of land earmarked for the project.

Medical Tourism is where people who live in one country travel to another country to receive medical, dental and surgical care while at the same time receiving equal to or greater care than they would have in their own country, and are traveling for medical care because of affordability, better access to care or a higher level of quality of care.

The site was chosen because it already belongs to Fotiou and because its quiet location is considered ideal for helping patients recover.

It is situated between two Natura 2000 protected areas but, according to the experts carrying Environmental Impact Assessment Study on Fotiou’s behalf and which will this Tuesday be evaluated by the Environmental Authority, the centre is not expected to negatively impact the environment. Experts have reportedly said that the centre will not create emissions or waste that cannot be disposed of in a satisfactory manner.

@inCyprus