The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) has already managed through its multifaceted work to establish itself in the health sector in Cyprus and beyond, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday. The President, who laid the foundation stone of the new building of the Institute that will be constructed near the current building, said that the project is financed by the European Investment Bank with the support of the Republic of Cyprus. He praised the work accomplished by the Institute saying that its actions and initiatives excel research, innovation and science, while upgrading the health services provided to citizens. He added that through the new building facilities, the Institute is investing in its vision of establishing itself as an International Center of Excellence and a Regional Referral Center, something that it has already achieved. The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, President Christodoulides said, plays an essential role as a regional center providing high-level research, specialized medical services and post-graduate education, with unique laboratory infrastructures for Cyprus and the region in the fields of neurology, genetics and biomedical research. Therefore, he added, its recognition has gone beyond Cyprus with the acceptance of the participation of departments and clinics of the Institute in specific European Reference Networks, following evaluation. The President noted that in 2022 the Deputy Ministry of Research allocated 6.8 million euro to the Institute and the Ministry of Health around 4.3 million adding that this will continue in the coming years. Concluding, he said that the state is recognizing the Institute's contribution in the health sector, in research and education, and therefore it will continue to support its actions. European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides attended the event. The new building will serve all citizens and may offer new perspectives in research and health, she wrote in a post on Twitter. In his address, President of the Institute's board of directors, Yiannis Matsis, said that the new extension building will host a state-of-the-art research center of international standards, covering an area of 11,651 square meters, which includes research and diagnostic laboratories, teaching areas, offices, as well as an outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of 600 seats. "It will enable us to better serve and improve the quality of life of our patients and all our compatriots, always on a bi-community basis", he stressed. The project will cost 23 million euros, and is partially financed by the European Investment Bank, with additional financial support from the Ministry of Finance, he said. Meanwhile, Leonidas Phylactou, Chief Executive Medical Director of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics noted that the new building will create new jobs, significantly increase research output, while contributing to a great extent to forge new partnerships and attract more graduate students.

Source: Cyprus News Agency