Newsroom
Professor Loizos Loizou has been recognised at this year’s Digital Agenda Cyprus conference for his role in developing specialist cancer care for children in Cyprus, where reported cure rates have reached approximately 82%.
The award was presented on Wednesday, October 14, during the technology and innovation conference in Nicosia, which this year focuses on artificial intelligence and its effects on the economy, society and everyday life.
Loizou’s work in Cyprus began in 1989, following medical studies in Belgium and specialist training in France. At that time, the country lacked an organised paediatric oncology service, leaving children diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia and their families facing significant gaps in specialist treatment and support.
He subsequently established the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Clinic at Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, building the service from the ground up. The work required the development of specialist medical teams, laboratory facilities and access to modern therapies, alongside the creation of a coordinated system of care for young patients.
A further milestone came in 1996, when Cyprus carried out its first bone marrow transplant. Loizou played a key role in the medical team responsible for the procedure, marking an important step in the development of the country’s treatment capabilities.
Medical treatment and family support
His contribution also extended to the social and psychological needs of patients. At his initiative, the ELPIDA Foundation was established to assist children and teenagers living with cancer or leukaemia, as well as their families.
The foundation’s work reflects the multiple challenges associated with a childhood cancer diagnosis, including the need for emotional support, practical assistance and continued care throughout treatment.
Figures published by the University of Nicosia in 2024 put Cyprus’s childhood cancer cure rate at around 82%, placing the country among those reporting strong results in this field.
The achievement reflects decades of work by doctors, nurses, laboratory specialists and other healthcare professionals, alongside improvements in diagnosis and treatment. For affected families, these advances mean that more children have the opportunity to recover and continue with their education and lives.
International recognition
Loizou has also contributed to efforts to improve paediatric oncology services outside Cyprus, participating in international partnerships and initiatives aimed at expanding access to specialised cancer treatment in African countries.
His career has received several international distinctions. In 2023, France awarded him the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit. The International Society of Paediatric Oncology named him an Ambassador for Children with Cancer and Leukaemia in 2024.
A year later, he was included in OncoDaily’s list of the 100 most influential figures in oncology.
The recognition at Digital Agenda Cyprus brings his medical work into the context of a conference centred on technological progress and artificial intelligence. His career reflects the importance of applying scientific advances to practical challenges in healthcare, particularly when treating children and supporting families through serious illness.
