Inaugural Nikos Ioannou Memorial Lecture held in honour of late Dr Nikos Ioannou

The inaugural Nikos Ioannou Memorial Lecture, held in memory of the late Dr Nikos Ioannou, took place at the University of Nicosia on Monday, 5 October, in the presence of his family and friends, members of the wider medical and University communities, and government officials.

The lecture was delivered by Dr Ioannou’s son, Professor George N. Ioannou, who explored the evolution of liver cancer over recent decades, with particular emphasis on prevention and contemporary approaches to its management. Professor Ioannou was introduced by the Dean of the Medical School, Adonis Ioannides.

Around 200 attendees, including the Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambides, and the Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, who is also the son of the late Dr Nikos Ioannou, came together to honour Dr Ioannou’s legacy as a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon and a prominent figure in the development of Cyprus’ healthcare sector.

The Memorial Lecture provided an opportunity to recognise Dr Ioannou’s role in the development of Cyprus’ national health insurance system, as well as his lasting impact on generations of healthcare professionals.

In his introduction, the Dean of the Medical School reflected on Dr Ioannou’s life and legacy, highlighting his significant contribution during the events of 1974, as well as his role in shaping Cyprus’ universal healthcare system during his tenure as President of the Health Insurance Organisation.

‘From opening his clinic to the wounded in 1974 to helping lay the foundations for universal healthcare in Cyprus, Nikos Ioannou’s sense of responsibility remained constant.’

‘Together with the Ioannou family, we hope that the Nikos Ioannou Memorial Lecture will become an important annual event in the life of our School – bringing our students, our profession and our wider community into conversation with people and ideas that are shaping medicine and healthcare.’