The Center for Preventive Paediatrics “Americos Argyriou” was founded in 1988 to improve public health in Cyprus through early detection and prevention of diseases in newborns and pregnant women. Headquartered in Limassol, with branches across all major cities, the Center offers free, nationwide prenatal and neonatal screening programs.
The Center was inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. Americos Argyriou, whose vision revolutionized care for children with mental disabilities and introduced life-saving screening practices to Cyprus. Today, his legacy continues through his son and a dedicated team committed to providing equal access to preventative care.
Events like the Radisson Blu Larnaka International Marathon play an important role, through fundraising initiatives, in sustaining these free programs which help to safeguard the health of future generations and promote equal access to essential healthcare services for every family in Cyprus.
Can you introduce your charity and provide an overview of its mission and purpose?
The Center for Preventive Paediatrics “Americos Argyriou” is a charity organization (Reg.No.721) based in Limassol, Cyprus. Established in 1988, the Center is governed by an 11 membered board who serve as volunteers. Amongst the board members are those who also serve on the Theotokos Foundation’s board, others of varied professional backgrounds and the current president of the Pancyprian Gynaecological and the Pancyprian Paediatric Societies.
With its headquarters in Limassol and branches in all other towns, the Center offers specialized national prenatal and neonatal screening programs. The Center’s annual budget is partly covered by a government grant and through private donations offered by individuals, companies and organizations in addition to the fund-raising events organized by the Association of the Friends of the Center for Preventive Paediatrics “Americos Argyriou”.
What inspired the establishment of your charity, and what motivated its founders to address this particular cause?
With headquarters in Limassol and branches in all cities, the Center is active in the field of preventive paediatrics, specializing in mass screening programs for pregnant women and newborns.
Cyprus owes both the radical change in the living conditions and treatment of children with mental handicap, as well as the establishment of screening programs, to the initiator of this pioneering step, Dr. Americos Argyriou. Through the Theotokos Foundation, Dr Argyriou gave hope of life and dignity to people with mental handicap and their families. He himself, a tireless visionary, created and consolidated the Center for Preventive Paediatrics (named after him after his passing). Argyriou’s son, also a pediatrician, continues with the same zeal in the leadership of the Center.
Are there any specific populations or communities that your charity focuses on serving? What led to the decision to prioritize these groups?
“Prevention is better than cure”, the well-known proverb with origins from Hippocrates writings (460-377 B.C.) highlights the importance of disease prevention for better health and longevity. This is undoubtedly because health is each and every person’s most precious asset which must be safeguarded and nurtured so that the demands of daily life can be met. This becomes all the more effective when the prevention of disease can take place soon after a child is born. Certainly then, the practicing field of preventive paediatrics plays a determining and life-saving role for the health and life of an individual.
Screening is a method of identifying the individuals who are at an increased risk of suffering from a particular disease within an apparently healthy population. Such individuals are provided with appropriate counselling, further testing, and the appropriate therapy and follow-up required so as to minimize the risk and complications that may arise from the disease. A screening program comprises a series of controlled actions such as general public awareness, first and second-line testing, diagnostics, therapy and follow-up that evidently minimizes the repercussions of the disease. It is important that all the individuals within a targeted group (i.e pregnant women, newborns etc) are offered the screening.
The ongoing mission of the Center for Preventive Paediatrics “Americos Argyriou” is to offer all Cyprus residents with high quality screening programs so as to provide the best possible start in life to each and every child.
The Centre’s screening programs have always been and will continue to be offered FREE of charge to the entire population of Cyprus, supporting the principle of ‘equality’ in access to public health services and of ensuring maximum participation in these programs.
What is the importance of events like the Radisson Blue Larnaka International Marathon to support your cause?
The activity of the Center would not be possible without the significant contribution of donations from individuals, private companies and institutions. Events like the Radisson Blue Larnaka International Marathon support our cause and enable us to continue implementing our programs.
By supporting the Center, you contribute to safeguarding public health by preventing diseases in children in a wider context of the sustainable development of society. You associate your scope with a public health institution with great weight. You strengthen social contribution, in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility, as you support a non-profit organization (NGO) with a charitable action. You are displayed all over Cyprus to support our project. Enter every home in Cyprus that welcomes a new member to its family.
