In Cyprus, with its common law traditions, alternative and complementary therapy practitioners are free to practise their therapies but there is no state regulation of such therapies or practitioners. The Cyprus Minister of Health is now committed to the introduction of a system of state regulation for alternative and complementary therapists who work in the area of health and personal services.

To find out more about the status of Natural Therapies on Cyprus, download a Radio Programme on the state-owned radio station RIK Radio2, with Rosie and Dr. Georgiou, the President of the Larnaca Branch of the PanCyprian Association of Alternative Therapies.

Download a 15-minute Radio Interview About Natural Medicine in Cyprus (14.7MB)

Alternative treatments are experiencing an unprecedented rise in acceptance and popularity in countries where western medicine is the norm - this is also the case here in Cyprus. The Cyprus Ministry of Health should be congratulated for their efforts to legislate alternative or natural therapies - this is indeed a welcome move by all unconventional practitioners wanting to work on Cyprus.

This is also an important move to protect the interests of the consumer who will be assured that they are visiting professional practitioners who are properly qualified and regulated so that they may get the best possible health care.

It is, however, important that all the complementary and alternative therapy practitioners on the island be 'self-regulatory' as is the case in the UK and Europe. Based on preliminary discussions and media appearances, it appears that the medical profession have expressed suspect motives to try to regulate these practitioners under their auspices, stipulating who can practice what and how. There is also talk of patients being referred to natural therapy practitioners only through medical doctors, which ultimately is not in the interests of the patient or client and ultimately will lead to the dissipation of natural therapies on the island.

There have also been coercion from homeopathic doctors to persuade the non-medical homeopath that homeopathy can only be practiced by a medical doctor - in most countries of the world this is not the case and there are many famous non-medical homeopaths. In the majority of Europe most practicing homeopaths are non-medical.

As complementary and alternative therapy practitioners are far fewer than medical doctors on the island, it is important that we get the support of the people who are in favour of natural therapies. This is why we are distributing these Declaration forms below - all in support of natural therapies can simply sign and return to:

P.O. Box 42008, Larnaca 6530, Cyprus

The Declaration Forms can be downloaded here:

English Declaration Form

Greek Declaration Form

In order to support our case please distribute the form attached to as many friends and family that support natural therapies - we want to add these names as 'Patient Supporters' to the Association database in order to increase our support strength here in Cyprus. I thank you for your support and interest, but we really need it in these changing times in order to serve your best interests.

Dr. George J Georgiou, Ph.D.,DSc (AM).,N.D.,MSc.,BSc
President, Larnaca Branch
PanCyprian Association of Alternative Therapies

We strongly believe that the people have the right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care