2025 Declared the "Year of Health" in the TRNC

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has declared 2025 as the “Year of Health.” As part of this initiative, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel visited Lapta to inspect the reconstruction of the town’s medical center.

During his visit, the Prime Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade the country’s healthcare infrastructure, based on a nationwide plan launched in 2024.

He was joined by Minister of Health Hakan Dinçyürek, Mayor of Lapta-Alsancak-Çamlıbel (LAÇ) Municipality Fırat Ataser, and Head of the Lapta Medical Center Dilek Büyük.

Speaking after the inspection, Prime Minister Üstel noted that while the Lapta Medical Center has served the region for many years, it can no longer meet the growing demands caused by a rising population and evolving healthcare needs. A full renovation is now underway. Once completed, the facility will be fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with additional medical professionals.

Üstel also emphasized that health sector projects are being carried out across the country—not just in Lapta. A new hospital in Güzelyurt is expected to open by November 15, while the Akçiçek Hospital in Girne and a nearby military hospital are scheduled to be operational by the end of the year. New healthcare centers have also been completed in Değirmenlik and Maraş, and groundwork for a new hospital in the Pamuklu-Karpaz region is set to begin in the coming days.

In the capital, the foundation stone for a new 320-bed hospital in Nicosia is expected to be laid on July 20. At the same time, the transformation of Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital into a modern medical complex is also underway. These major investments are being made with the support of the Republic of Turkey. The Prime Minister extended his thanks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz for their continued support.

Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek added that the Lapta Medical Center will be ready to operate soon. Once open, it will serve a growing number of patients with a full range of modern healthcare services.

Mayor Fırat Ataser called the work being done at the Lapta Medical Center a historic step for the region and said its expansion into a full-fledged hospital is an urgent need.

The original Lapta facility has been demolished and is being rebuilt to comply with modern earthquake-resistance standards. The new building, designed to meet contemporary safety and medical regulations, will provide uninterrupted, round-the-clock healthcare services to local residents.