On the occasion of World Hearing Day, celebrated every year on March 3, “P” spoke with pediatrician Argyris Argyriou about the work of the Center for Preventive Pediatrics “Amerikos Argyriou”. For decades, the center has been implementing basic prevention programs that cover the entire population of pregnant women and newborns in Cyprus, such as prenatal screening, newborn screening for metabolic diseases and the newborn hearing screening program, with the aim of early diagnosis of diseases that can decisively affect a child’s life. However, as pediatrician Argyris Argyriou points out to “P”, the operation of the center is still accompanied by significant challenges, mainly financial but also procedural. “An organization cannot do the work of the state,” he notes. “A charity like ours has been doing this work for so many years and while it is recognised, it still struggles every year to find the money.”
The state provides a grant of approximately €385 thousand, which, he says, reflects the recognition of the value of the Center’s work. However, this funding covers only part of the real needs. “We’re not talking about huge sums,” he says. “But it’s not possible every year for me to worry about where the money will be found. And we are truly grateful for the supporters and donors who keep this project alive.”
Prevention as a public responsibility
The programs implemented by the center concern screening tests for all pregnant women and all newborns in the country. According to Mr. Argiriou, in many countries such programs are an organic part of the national health systems or are financed directly by the states. “In all the countries of the world these programs are implemented by the state, either through a general health plan or through state funding,” he explains. In recent years, the project has been publicly recognized at a political level. In February 2025 the President mentioned as a reference point for the specific prevention programs. At the same time, however, as he notes, there are still outstanding issues regarding the administrative framework for cooperation with state agencies and the practical implementation of certain decisions.
Procedural difficulties
In practice, the Center has been implementing basic screening programs for the population for years. Nevertheless, its day-to-day operation often encounters procedural difficulties related to the framework of cooperation between different organizations. “We are somewhere in the air,” he notes. The issue became particularly apparent recently during the process of expanding the newborn screening program for metabolic diseases. Today in Cyprus, two main diseases are controlled: Phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. The plan envisages the extension of control to eight more metabolic diseases, in collaboration with the Institute of Genetics and Makarios Hospital.
Cooperation between the involved agencies had to be arranged through additional administrative and legal procedures, which delayed the implementation of the program. “We were told that normally tenders would have to be called,” he explains. “But who should do the tests since only we do them and we do them for free?” Eventually the matter was referred to the Legal Service, who agreed that the partnership could go ahead.
Four years late
The decision to expand the program was already taken in 2022. “We have almost reached 2026 and it is still to be implemented,” notes Mr. Argyriou. “We are ready. We could start tomorrow.” As he says, the Ministry of Health has already earmarked the relevant resources for the implementation of the program, however the process was delayed due to the administrative arrangements that had to be made first.
Prevention
Beyond the procedural difficulties, Mr. Argyriou underlines the importance of prevention programs for the health system as a whole. Early detection of metabolic diseases or hearing problems in newborns can decisively change the course of a child’s life. “Prevention saves lives,” he says. At the same time, as he notes, prevention saves significant resources for the state. “If prevention is not done, then the state will then have to cover the costs of treatments and support for the whole life of a child,” he explains. “We are talking about huge amounts.”
The history of the Center
The history of the Center for Preventive Pediatrics begins more than half a century ago and is connected with the pediatrician Amerikos Argyriou, founder of the Foundation. In the late 1960s, through his work at the Theotokos Foundation in Limassol, he found that many of the ailments children faced could have been prevented.
“Seeing children with Down syndrome, with chromosomal abnormalities and metabolic diseases, he realized that many of them could have been detected early,” explains his son. At that time screening programs were already being implemented abroad. But when he tried to promote the idea in Cyprus, the doors remained closed.
Instead of giving up the effort, Americos Argyriou went ahead on his own. With the support of about 200 prominent Limasians and small donations, the Center for Preventive Pediatrics was created, which was originally called the Center for the Prevention of Mental Retardation. In the first years, its operation was based almost exclusively on the support of society. “The government started much later to give a small sponsorship,” he recalls. Even the universal newborn hearing screening program, which is implemented today, was started after a private initiative.
“I won’t give up”
Today, pediatrician Argyris Argyriou declares that he is determined to continue the work started by his father. “My father was not only a father to me. He was also my mentor,” he says. “I have promised myself that I will continue this project until the end. I will continue to pressure presidents, ministers and officials until they help the Center.” For him, the question is simple. “By helping the Center you are helping the children.”