The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the fragility and vulnerability of EU’s healthcare systems, the health inequalities present within and between Member States and the lack of preparedness of the Union in the face of such crises. Ultimately, as EU Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides, stated in her address to the European Parliament, it has thrown into sharp relief the need for more Europe in the area of public health.
The proposed €9.4 billion EU4health Programme represents a strong and necessary step in giving health the recognition it deserves and placing it at the heart of EU policy, protecting the health of all EU citizens and building resilient health systems in Europe. Well-implemented, the EU4Health Programme has the potential to mark a step change in the burden of non-communicable diseases, which remain the leading cause of death, disease and disability in Europe.
Nevertheless, for the programme to realise its potential, IDF Europe believe that four elements must be considered. Read the IDF Europe considerations here and the proposed amendements here.
