Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The European Commission’s Communication on the European Health Union highlights significant EU health policy progress, emphasizing COVID-19 response, vaccine distribution, and ongoing initiatives for stronger health security, accessibility, and innovative healthcare solutions.
The European Commission assumed a Communication on the European Health Union, which underlines the strides made in EU health policy over the last four years, for the usefulness of citizens in the EU and worldwide.
According to the European Commission, the start of this mandate was characterised by the biggest pandemic in a century, which pushed human suffering on a worldwide scale and tested public health systems to the limitation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic also revealed what EU solidarity, collaboration and decisive action can accomplish.Â
What Are the Key Achievements of the European Health Union?
Under the umbrella of the EU Vaccines Strategy, all EU citizens had access to life-saving COVID-19 vaccines at the same time under the same circumstances.Â
Commission states that this helped to prevent the spread of the virus and saved millions of lives. The EU Digital COVID Certificate permitted economies and societies to re-open safely, while SURE supported over 31 million workers to overcome the economic impact. As pandemics comprehend no borders, EU cooperation and solidarity also spread across the world. Through the Team Europe procedure, the EU became the most extensive donor of vaccines through COVAX and delivered almost €54 billion in emergency support to partner countries.
The European Health Union thus appeared in the midst of the pandemic as an essential to preserve EU resilience and assist Europe’s societal well-being, strategic autonomy and geopolitical strength. It was built on the understanding of the COVID-19 crisis and responded to the clear calls of citizens for a more powerful EU presence in public health.Â
Revealed in November 2020, the vision for the Health Union is to ensure that Member States are better prepared to react to future health crises together while supporting modern and creative health policies for all citizens across the EU. Supported by substantial funding from the EU4Health programme, the purposes of the European Health Union quickly turned into tangible results.
What Innovations Has the European Health Union Introduced in Healthcare?
With more activity in the pipeline, the European Health Union has provided to date: Stronger health security standards, to better respond to future crises; Equal and convenient access to affordable medications for all citizens; A world-leading Cancer Plan; Game-changing endeavours to digitalise healthcare; Comprehensive activity for better mental health; Rules to increase patient safety and secure the reserve of medicinal products; A One Health strategy to tackle major health risks.
Moreover, by recognising the connection between human, animal and environmental health, Europe is better placed to develop stronger policies to contain major health challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and the outcome of climate change on health.
On the occasion, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said, “Over the last 5 years, the way we work and cooperate in the area of health has changed fundamentally. The unity and solidarity that emerged when faced with the most difficult health crisis in modern times has led to the creation of a strong European Health Union. Its every pillar and action has one purpose: to put citizens and patients at the centre, protect their health and change their lives. Our citizens rightfully expected more in the area of health, and we are delivering. We have transformed our vision into reality, and will continue to develop our Health Union for our citizens in the coming years.”
