National registry, early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and psychosocial support. A National Committee will oversee the implementation of the Strategy.
Cyprus is set to strengthen the care and support available to people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), following the Council of Ministers’ approval of the National Strategy for Multiple Sclerosis on 25 August 2026 and the establishment of a National Committee to oversee its implementation and monitoring. The new Strategy brings MS-related policies together within a unified framework, covering everything from data collection and early diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, research and innovation.
The goal is to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services and continuously improve patients’ quality of life through a long-term approach that takes into account their different needs at every stage of the disease.
According to Ministry of Health data, approximately 2,700 people in Cyprus are currently living with MS, with around 100 new cases diagnosed each year. The prevalence of the disease in Cyprus is estimated at approximately 270 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a level comparable to that of other countries in the wider Mediterranean region.
The National Strategy is built around four main strategic pillars, covering the management of the disease and the wider needs of patients:
1. Data collection and use
The Strategy provides for the creation of a National Registry of Multiple Sclerosis patients, enabling the systematic collection and use of data to support disease monitoring and the planning of health services.
2. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment
The second pillar focuses on raising awareness among the public and healthcare professionals, promoting early diagnosis and treatment, developing appropriate infrastructure, and addressing issues related to medication safety.
3. Rehabilitation and support services
Care extends beyond medical treatment, with provisions for access to rehabilitation services, psychological and psychosocial support, as well as measures to support the social and professional integration of patients.
4. Research, innovation and digital health
The Strategy also places emphasis on clinical research, innovative technologies and digital health, strengthening the link between patient care and modern scientific and technological developments.
Alongside the National Strategy, the Council of Ministers also approved the establishment and appointment of a National Committee for Multiple Sclerosis, which will serve as an advisory body to the Minister of Health.
Its main role will be to support the development and monitoring of an Action Plan with clearly defined objectives, responsibilities and timelines, ensuring that the Strategy’s provisions are translated into specific and measurable actions.
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects each person differently. The needs it creates extend beyond medical treatment to rehabilitation, psychological and psychosocial support, employment, social participation, and the everyday lives of patients and their families.
The National Strategy brings these different needs together within a single policy framework, with the aim of ensuring continuity of care, equal access to quality services and an improved quality of life for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
With the approval of the Strategy and the establishment of a mechanism for its implementation, Cyprus is putting in place a coordinated national approach to Multiple Sclerosis, with clear priorities and a monitoring framework that places patients and their everyday needs at the centre.
