With the aim of creating a modern National Surveillance System (BIOCARE platform) for the consumption of antibiotics and the monitoring of hospital-acquired infections, the Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health have signed a research and innovation collaboration agreement with KIOS Center of Excellence at the University of Cyprus, on January 31, 2025.
According to recent data from European surveillance networks (EARS-Net, ESAC-Net), Cyprus ranks among the European Union countries with the highest antibiotic consumption and the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance. In response to this alarming trend, the Ministry of Health in Cyprus recognized the need to develop and implement the BIOCARE platform, following recommendations from European and international organizations, including the European Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and the World Health Organization. These organizations emphasize surveillance as a key pillar in any strategy to address this serious public health issue.
Dr. Elisavet Constantinou, Director of Medical and Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, stated that the Ministry has prioritized addressing the issues of excessive antibiotic consumption, antimicrobial resistance, and hospital-acquired infections. For this reason, it is moving forward with the development and implementation of a robust surveillance system, the BIOCARE platform, which will effectively monitor antibiotic consumption in hospitals as well as the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections. This initiative will contribute to reducing antibiotic use, improving adherence to evidence-based guidelines, decreasing hospital-acquired infections, and enhancing both patient safety and the quality of healthcare services within hospital settings.
On behalf of the KIOS Center of Excellence, Assistant Professor Panayiotis Kolios, said that the BIOCARE platform will combine both theoretical and applied aspects of computer science, software engineering, dynamic systems modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enable digital health for accurate monitoring and informed decision support.
Within this framework, the KIOS team will design and develop the digital platform, including its key components such as the user interface, architecture, user experience, and real-time data analysis, ensuring both functionality and ease of use. The platform will facilitate the timely collection and analysis of data, supporting the Ministry of Health officials in decision-making, action planning, and public awareness initiatives.
The collaboration agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Health, by Dr. Elisavet Constantinou, in the presence of Dr. Linos Chatzichanna, Dr. Markella Markou, and Natasa Anastasiadou, and on behalf of the University of Cyprus, by the Head of the Research Support Service, Dr. Marios Dimitriadis, in the presence of Assistant Professor Panagiotis Kolios and the Head of the KIOS Innovation Hub, Dr. Andreas Psaltis.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
