Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU health commissioner said that there’s no turning back from the path to EU health policymaking designed during the COVID pandemic – and it’s why it should remain high on the agenda.
In an exclusive discussion, outgoing Cypriot Commissioner Kyriakides emphasised how the pandemic kept a turning point for EU health policy.
“With COVID, we witnessed a paradigm shift in health. It showed us that we are stronger when we work together and coordinate as member states,”
she stated.
Kyriakides, who took the post in 2019, originally focused on updating the EU’s pharmaceutical industry, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and running key initiatives like the European Health Data Space and the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan. The Data Space and the EU Critical Medicines Strategy are among the issues that will be examined at the Summit.
How did COVID-19 change the EU’s health policy approach?
The appearance of COVID-19 reshaped her mandate, leading to the innovation of the European Health Union to strengthen preparedness and resilience in health systems. Reflecting on her term, Kyriakides highlighted the shift toward a more holistic approach, which assumes all health-related factors, including climate change.
“Looking back, there are always areas where things could have been done differently. But what we achieved is a fundamental change in how we perceive health,”
she stated.
What achievements does Kyriakides highlight from her mandate?
One of the Commissioner’s proudest accomplishments was the successful delivery of vaccines to all EU member states simultaneously during the pandemic. “That moment was very special in my mandate,” Kyriakides stated.
What health priorities will the next European Commission face?
Looking ahead, she emphasised that the next European Commission‘s priority must be to maintain health at the top of the political agenda. The emphasis will shift toward implementing the many findings made by the European Health Union.
Major endeavours like addressing mental health and promoting the Beating Cancer Plan will continue to require concentration from the next leadership team. Kyriakides stressed the importance of integrating mental health into all policies, placing it on a similar footing with physical health. Additionally, she pointed out that certain features of the Beating Cancer Plan, especially those targeting alcohol and tobacco consumption, remain unfinished.
