President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, inaugurated the construction of a Cyclotron Unit at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre on Thursday, in Nicosia. The €4.2 million facility, funded by an anonymous Cypriot philanthropist, is expected to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment through cutting-edge PET/CT technology.

In his address, the President highlighted the transformative potential of the new equipment in enhancing patient services.

“Where healthcare is concerned, we are judged daily by the Cypriot people. It is our challenge and commitment to continuously improve the quality of care provided,” he said.

The new building, he added, part of the Centre’s five-year strategic development plan, will house the PET/CT system, relying on the Cyclotron Unit to produce radiopharmaceuticals. These advancements will enable precise diagnoses and improved patient monitoring.

President Christodoulides acknowledged the pivotal role of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre in combating cancer since its establishment in 1998. He commended its recent full membership in the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, which broadens opportunities for collaboration and expertise sharing.

He also said that the anonymous donor’s contribution represented the spirit of philanthropy that still exists in Cyprus, expressing gratitude to the donor and the Centre’s dedicated staff and leadership.

Chair of the Centre’s Board of Trustees Christos M. Triantafyllides, said the event was a milestone in the Centre’s 26-year history. He emphasized the technological and clinical leap forward the Cyclotron Unit represents, enhancing speed, accuracy, and efficacy in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“The installation of this infrastructure further cements the Centre’s reputation as a Centre of Excellence in oncology, not just in Cyprus but across the region,” said Triantafyllides.

Bank of Cyprus CEO Panicos Nicolaou said that to date, over 50,000 patients have been treated at the Centre, with more than 17,000 unique visits recorded in 2023 alone. He pledged that the Bank of Cyprus will continue its support, to the Centre, calling it an invaluable asset for the country.

The project is supported by partnerships with leading companies such as GE Healthcare for equipment installation and Viokosmos for Cyclotron operations.

As part of the ceremony, President Christodoulides signed the building’s Foundational Charter, which, along with symbolic documents, was encased in a glass capsule and embedded in the foundation stone.

Source: Parikiaki.com