The much-awaited afternoon operation of state hospitals all across Cyprus began on Monday between the hours of 3pm and 6pm on weekdays.
This will help efforts to reduce waiting lists for operations, according to State Health Services Organisation (Okypy) spokesman Charalambos Charilaou.
Afternoon work will cover both outpatient services and scheduled operations, he added.
Eligible persons will be able to refer to the Okypy website to plan their visit to a doctor electronically.
Arrangement of appointments will also be possible through the phone at specific numbers announced on the website.
For online appointments, patients will make a request and within 48 hours an operator will contact them for the date and time of their appointment, he also said.
The goal is to provide better services and more accessible health services at state hospitals, cut waiting lists and use hospital infrastructure and equipment more effectively, he added.