Newsroom
The connection between Cyprus and Israel did not start with official agreements or political strategy. It began through medicine, built on trust and the need for care. For many years, cooperation in healthcare created a steady link between the two societies.
As early as the 1950s, patients from Cyprus traveled to Israel to access specialized treatments that were not available at home. The Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem gained a strong reputation for advanced care, attracting difficult cases and patients seeking expert opinions. Well-known specialists in fields such as gynecology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases became familiar names within Cypriot medical circles.
Hadassah has since grown into one of the leading university hospitals in the region. With major facilities in Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, it treats over a million patients each year. The hospital includes more than 1,300 beds, dozens of operating rooms, and advanced intensive care units, while maintaining close academic links with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It is consistently ranked among Israel’s top institutions, particularly in oncology, cardiology, and transplant medicine.
For decades, Cypriots facing serious health conditions, including heart disease, complex pediatric illnesses, cancer, and transplant needs, relied on treatment in Jerusalem. Some of the most striking cases involved newborns with congenital heart defects who were flown to Israel for urgent surgery. Beyond medical expertise, patients and families often experienced a compassionate approach that left a lasting impression.
Medical cooperation was not one-sided. Israeli doctors frequently visited Cyprus to support local healthcare and provide training. Specialists from Hadassah worked with institutions such as the School for the Blind and Nicosia General Hospital. Surgeons also traveled to cities like Larnaca to treat complex cases and share knowledge with Cypriot colleagues. These visits reflected practical collaboration rather than simple academic exchange.
Even during periods when official relations between the two countries were strained, cooperation in medicine continued. In the 1980s, Israeli experts contributed to important developments in Cyprus. Efforts included encouraging the establishment of a kidney transplant center and proposing joint work with the Nicosia Thalassemia Center for research and medical training. Scientific collaboration helped maintain contact between the two sides during a difficult time politically.
Between 1988 and 1996, a scholarship program enabled many Cypriot doctors to train in Israeli hospitals in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba. This initiative helped build long-term professional relationships before formal agreements in healthcare were in place.
Joint work in medicine continues today. In 2024, Cyprus and Israel completed their first international kidney exchange chain. Another cross-border transplant effort followed in 2025, providing life-saving treatment for patients in both countries. These initiatives reflect ongoing coordination between medical teams.
