by Nadia Sam-Daliri The first lady of Cyprus visited the leukaemia team and patients at a leading hospital in a bid to enhance medical treatment in her country. Elsie Christofia went to the Royal Free Hospital, in Pond Street, Hampstead,

by Nadia Sam-Daliri

The first lady of Cyprus visited the leukaemia team and patients at a leading hospital in a bid to enhance medical treatment in her country.

Elsie Christofia went to the Royal Free Hospital, in Pond Street, Hampstead, last week because the hospital is a world leader in the treatment of leukaemia, bone marrow transplants and other forms of cancer.

Ms Christofia said: "It's a privilege to be here and see and learn about the professional work and high standards of treatment. I look forward to even greater co-operation between Cyprus and the hospital in the future."

Doctors at the hospital are pioneering a new form of leukaemia treatment where donor cells are manipulated and given a 'key' component to kill off remaining cancer cells.

Christos Psillos, a patient, said: "Nobody likes to be sick but I'm glad to be getting treatment here and it was an unexpected pleasure to meet the first lady of Cyprus." nadia.sam-daliri@archant.co.uk