The Nursing Services Directorate – Education Sector, the University of Nicosia, and the Cyprus Crohn’s & Colitis Association (CYCCA) are organizing a Training Programme for Public Sector Nurses on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). The programme is supported by the European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA), the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), and the Cyprus Gastroenterology Society (CGS).

The programme was developed in response to CYCCA’s longstanding commitment and demand for the qualitative improvement of healthcare services provided to patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), pending the full implementation of the General Healthcare System (GeSY). As part of these efforts, we requested, among other things, the specialization of nursing staff working in public hospitals. The Nursing Services responded positively, while the University of Nicosia voluntarily undertook the majority of the programme, which will be delivered one full day per week over a period of six weeks. EFCCA, ECCO, and the CGS are supporting the initiative scientifically through the participation of expert physicians and nurses as trainers, as well as through the development of the programme curriculum.

We invite everyone to attend the official opening ceremony of the programme on Thursday, 13 October 2016, at 8:30 a.m. at the UNESCO Amphitheatre of the University of Nicosia. The event will be addressed by the Honourable Minister of Health, Mr. George Pamboridis.