Shriners commit to stronger cooperation with Cyprus

The Shriners are expanding their charitable work in Cyprus with a new agreement signed with the government and the Paraskevaides Foundation, boosting cooperation in medical care for children but also training and research.

On Tuesday, representatives from North America’s Shriners Hospitals for Children signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Health Ministry and the George and Thelma Paraskevaides Foundation, in an effort to boost cooperation in the field of medical expertise, transfer of knowledge, and advanced medical research.

According to Cyprus News Agency (CNA), about 3000 children from Cyprus have travelled to the United States over the last 35 years for specialised orthopaedic treatments within the Shriners network.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a non-profit organisation with medical facilities in North America run by the globally-known charitable fraternity Shriners International, offering orthopaedic care to eligible children regardless of their ability to pay out of pocket.

A network of 22 hospitals is known around the world for taking on challenging cases, providing care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, and certain other special health care needs.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou, who offered his remarks at the signing ceremony, said that a team of specialised doctors from Shriners hospitals has been visiting the island since 1983, examining children and providing expertise in over 350 cases.

“In addition to their visit to Cyprus, the medical experts of Shriners Hospitals have close cooperation with Cypriot doctors through teleconferencing to provide their expertise in approximately 80 cases of children with orthopedic conditions,” the minister said.

Ioannou also praised the George and Thelma Paraskevaides Foundation, saying their charity work was pivotal in developing cooperation with the Shriners for the benefit of children in Cyprus regardless of their financial status.

“For all your assistance and support, we are deeply grateful,” Ioannou said.

Costas Paraskevaides, who spoke on behalf of the Foundation, pointed to multiple opportunities stemming from the joint venture.

“There are still many opportunities and ways of cooperation, for which all sides will work intensively,” Paraskevaides said.