‘PrEP is coming to Cyprus’ officials state at the ‘Cyprus PrEP Point’ launch

Nicosia, 03/06/2025 – The AIDS Solidarity Movement (Movement) celebrated the successful launch of the ‘Cyprus PrEP Point’ on 29 May 2025, during an event that was part of the Cyprus Pride 2025. Marking a significant step forward in community-led HIV prevention efforts in Cyprus, the event, held at the Movement’s offices, in the old town of Nicosia, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, local community organisations, international partners, and members of the communities.

Building upon a decade of experience with the Cy Checkpoint, the Movement’s Information, Prevention and Testing Centre for HIV and STIs, the newly established Cyprus PrEP Point will serve as a Community Information and Empowerment Centre, providing vital information, support, and guidance for individuals choosing to take PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) under their own responsibility.

Watch the video here.

Key Highlights from the Launch:

• Commitment to Universal Access: Dr. Giorgos Shiakallis, representing the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the universal accessibility of PrEP in Cyprus, regardless of the access to the GHS (General Health System).
• Phased Implementation: The Ministry of Health outlined the 3-phased approach for officially introducing PrEP in Cyprus, beginning with specialised counseling and service provision at general hospitals in Nicosia, Larnaca, and the AIDS Solidarity Movement’s Cy Checkpoint, before expanding to other districts, and eventually integrating into primary care, personal doctors and pharmacies.
• Community Empowerment: Christos Krasidis, Chair of the AIDS Solidarity Movement, emphasised the importance of the collaboration between the community and the state, as well as the role of community-led initiatives in supporting individuals who choose to use PrEP.
• “PrEP Month” Announcement: The Movement announced June 2025 as “PrEP Month,” featuring a series of presentations and open discussions on various aspects of PrEP, including its effectiveness, routine monitoring, and global perspectives.
• International and Local Partnerships: The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of local organisations, such as Accept LGBTI Cyprus, the Cyprus Family Planning Association, the Cyprus Refugee Council, and Queer Collective, as well as international networks like AIDS Action Europe and the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG).
• Strong Messages: Attendees witnessed recorded messages endorsing the Cyprus PrEP Point initiative, coming from AIDS Action Europe and European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG).

Discussions and Concerns:

The Q&A session addressed important questions and concerns, including the timeline for PrEP implementation in Cyprus, medical and other data privacy, the role of the GHS system, and the use of PrEP by individuals in the absence of official access:

• “The major success of this proposal is that the principles of universal access, cost reimbursement, accessibility, and the phased dissemination to personal doctors and primary care have been approved,” said Giorgos Shiakallis, representative of the Ministry of Health. “The implementation will happen.”
• “The Cyprus PrEP Point is a vision with a 7-years of history behind it, since the ‘PrEP in Cyprus’ survey in 2018” said Christos Krasidis, Chair of AIDS Solidarity Movement. “Our role as part of the community ourselves, is to support individuals in taking well-informed health decisions, and when PrEP is made officially available, we will be supporting the community to ensure a more positive experience related to PrEP access”
• “The process would have been easier if there was a restriction of access to specific groups… What the National AIDS Committee achieved is that PrEP will be considered accessible to everyone,” said Stephanos Evangelides, Secretary of Accept LGBTI Cyprus.

Looking Ahead:

The AIDS Solidarity Movement and its partners will continue to work towards the official implementation of PrEP in Cyprus, while providing essential support and information to the community through the Cyprus PrEP Point. The Movement encourages everyone to participate in the upcoming “PrEP Month” events, and stay informed about the latest developments in HIV prevention. Updated information on PrEP will be published in the beginning of October 2025, in 4 languages, with support from EATG SCOPE: Amplifying Community Voices for Prevention.

PrEP Month Programme

June is the PrEP Month, with a series of meetings, webinars and open discussions:

1. PrEP 101: What you need to know (PrEP 101: Τι πρέπει να γνωρίζεις)

With Prof Georgios Nikolopoulos  |  Language: Greek
When: Friday, 6 June  |  Time: 18:30 hh (Cyprus Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/u6cbj3FfhLqTmCu38

2. PrEP in times of uncertainty: wars, pandemics, and Trump

With Dr Ioannis Mameletzis  | Language: English
When: Monday, 16 June | Time: 18:30 (Cyprud Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/ccqfp4QvBjkUEZzV6

3. Routine Monitoring While on PrEP

With Dr Danny Alon Ellenbogen  |  Language: English
When: Tuesday, 17 June  |  Time: at 18:30 hh (Cyprus Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/Pt8EkMYtzGDKYBko8

4. Working on Combination Prevention in Europe

With AIDS Action Europe (AAE)  |  Language: English
When: Thursday, 19 June 2025  |  Time: 18:30 hh (Cy Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/fHDgv796WTDHLfSG7

5. The role of HIV PrEP in HIV and STI prevention: Putting WHO guidance into practice

With Dr Viatcheslav Grankov, WHO Europe  |  Language: English
When: Friday, 20 June 2025  |  Time: 17:00 hh (Cyprus Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/c4rauHXuQsBpyk6m9

6. PrEP in Greece: What you need to know

(Η PrEP στην Ελλάδα: Τι πρέπει να γνωρίζεις)
With Positive Voice Greece | Language: Greek
When: Friday, 27 June 2025 | Time: 18:30 (Cyprus Time)
Place: Online  |  Registration: https://forms.gle/Xtb7RmngmAYVhwvHA

7. Community Response on PrEP: Case Studies on Ukraine and Cyprus

With the European AIDS Treatment Group  |  Language: English
When: Monday, 30 June 2025  |  Time: 17:30 hh (Cyprus Time) | Place: Online
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cjJZ6E-mT0uukfPh4m7UQw

AIDS Solidarity Movement, Cyprus
Cyprus PrEP Point – Contact Informations:
Tel +357 9960 7005
E-Mail: info @ asmcyrpus.org