National Cancer Institute board approved: Cyprus’ Cabinet has named the first governing board for the National Cancer Institute, with oncologist Pavlos Dragos as chairman and representatives from health/finance ministries, the medical profession and patients’ groups—aiming to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and equal access. Mental health care reform push: At Athalassa, a parliamentary health committee chair warned that people “who should not be hospitalised” are still being kept in psychiatric hospitals due to missing protocols and weak community services, calling for legislative changes and new community structures, plus school psychologists and a proposed 24-hour hotline. Plasma exchange clarified: A hematologist cautioned that therapeutic plasma exchange is a medical treatment, not an anti-aging fix, urging proper medical assessment and noting prevention steps like cholesterol control and avoiding smoking. Rural clinic staffing grants: New funding is set to support rural health clinic staffing and needs, targeting access to care closer to home. Textbook delivery snag: The Education Ministry says 97% of required textbooks reached schools, with delays affecting about 3% due to a few contractors; contracts were terminated and temporary booklets arranged to keep classes moving. Suicide prevention data: Eurostat reports suicide rates in the EU continue to fall, with Cyprus among the lowest rates—highlighting ongoing stigma-reduction and prevention efforts for World Suicide Prevention Day. Kyrenia ferry update: The last hospital patient from the Kyrenia ferry disaster has been discharged, while authorities continue search and rescue and investigations.