Cancer patients needing palliative care in the Greek Cypriot south are offered free services funded by either one of two charitable organisations:

The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) is given an annual government subsidy, which in 2004 was CY£90,000. From 2005, due to problems with government funds, the subsidy is being reduced to around CY£70,000. The Association raises the rest of the total CY£1 million they need to run their services entirely from public donations.¹⁵

The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society is given an annual government subsidy, up to 2003 this was CY£10,000. From 2004 the government has reduced its subsidy to CYP 1000. The remainder of the required annual budget of more than CYP 1 million is raised mainly from public donation, with some additional commercial sponsorship.¹⁶ There is an annual, highly popular, fund-raising event in Nicosia called the Christodoula March, dedicated to the memory of ‘Christodoula’ a woman who died of breast cancer during the 1974 hostilities,¹⁷ and her doctor Demitris Souliotis, who inspired the forming of the Society to help cancer patients.¹⁸ Every April marches are held in cities all around the south of the island, along with other fund-raising events, during which the majority of public donations are pledged.¹⁹

The Cyprus government provides free medication via the oncology departments in local hospitals, and also for in-patients at the hospice. The hospice has access to laundry services via Nicosia General Hospital. There are no palliative services for patients with other life-threatening illnesses in government funded hospitals. There are no private (fee-paying) palliative care services in Cyprus. Government health provision in all government funded (including joint/part funded) hospitals or centres is free or at reduced payment for residents who are categorised as eligible for a medical card. Non-eligible residents are required to pay varying rates for different services.²⁰