Meer gecoördineerde actie nodig om verspreiding besmettelijke ziekten tegen te gaan (en)

EU Health Ministers identified the need to strengthen coordination mechanisms for correct and timely communication and risk assessment at the onset of a crisis relating to cross-border health threats, during discussions on the second and final day of their Informal meeting in Cyprus. The meeting, which took place at the ‘Filoxenia’ Conference Centre in Lefkosia (Nicosia) on July 10 and 11, also debated the ‘Employment Package’ and the topic of organ donation and transplantation, a Cyprus Presidency priority.

Recognising the need for strengthened coordination mechanisms for proper and timely communication and risk assessment at the beginning of a crisis, the ministers expressed their support to the operation of the Health Security Committee, which is the key EU mechanism for coordinating health security efforts, for further coordination in this area.

At the same time, they identified the necessity for reinforcing communication channels between the European Commission, the World Health Organisation and other EU agencies (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, European Food Safety Authority, European Medicines Agency) and supported the development of cooperation between civil society and various stakeholders, such as health professionals in the whole communication process. They also stressed the importance of integrating traditional channels of communication and social media into communication plans.

In his concluding speech, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Stavors Malas, stressed that “member states expressed their willingness to intensify their efforts towards the development and implementation of risk and communication strategies, effective enough to protect the citizens of the Union, with the support of the European Commission and in close collaboration with the WHO”.

During the first day of the meeting, yesterday, July 10, the ministers discussed the issue of organ donation and transplantation. Mr. Malas said that the ministers identified the needs of each member state regarding specific programmes of organ donation and transplantation and discussed different ways of strengthening cooperation, as well as exchanging best practices and experiences.

On Tuesday, they also held a debate on the European Commission’s Action Plan on the EU Health Workforce, part of the ‘Employment Package’, highlighting the need to adopt innovative approaches and strategies to improve youth employment in the health sector, equipping young people with the right skills through education, training and job opportunities.

Taking account the diversity between each member states relating to their different needs when it came to health care professionals, Dr. Malas said that "EU actions must be planned taking into consideration these diversities".