(VOR News) – In an interview conducted at the Euronews Health Summit, the COVID health commissioner emphasised that the approach to developing EU health policy that was established during the COVID-19 epidemic cannot be reversed.
This is the reason it should remain a primary priority.
Outgoing Cypriot Commissioner Kyriakides emphasised the significant impact of the outbreak on EU health policy in an exclusive interview that coincides with tomorrow’s Euronews Health Summit. In conjunction with the summit, the interview was conducted.
We observed a paradigm shift in the realm of health as a result of COVID-19. “It was a clear demonstration to us that, as member states, we are more powerful when we collaborate and work together,” she concluded.
Upon his election to the presidency in 2019, Kyriakides’ initial objectives were to address the issue of antibiotic resistance, revitalise the pharmaceutical industry in the European Union, and advance significant initiatives, including the European Union’s Beating Cancer Plan and the European Health Data Space.
The summit is expected to address two topics: the Data Space and the European Union’s Critical Medicines Strategy.
Conversely, the introduction of COVID-19 resulted in a modification of her mandate, which led to the establishment of the European Health Union with the objective of improving the preparedness and resilience of health systems.
Kyriakides identified the advancements that have been achieved in the pursuit of a more comprehensive strategy that considers climate change and all other pertinent health-related factors during her reflections on her time.
There are always COVID incidents that should have been handled better.
Conversely, she asserted, “We have accomplished a substantial change in our comprehension of health.”
Ongoing concerns
One of the Commissioner’s most noteworthy accomplishments during the pandemic was the timely and effective distribution of vaccinations to all member states of the European Union.
“That moment was very special in my mandate,” Kyriakides stated after reflecting on the event.
She emphasised that the European Commission that will be established in the future should prioritise the preservation of health as the primary objective on the political agenda. The numerous decisions that were made will now be COVID implemented following the conclusion of the European Health Union.
The next leadership team will still need to prioritise critical issues, including the improvement of the Beat Cancer Plan and the provision of treatment for mental health and mental illness.
Kyriakides emphasised the critical importance of establishing mental health on an equal basis with physical health and ensuring that it is incorporated into any strategy.
There are still some unresolved business in the Beating Cancer Plan, particularly in the sections that pertain to the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
The upcoming Commission and the challenges that lie ahead
Several Commissioners, including Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné, Health Commissioner-designate Oliver Varhelyi, and Preparedness Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, will allocate responsibilities associated with health during the upcoming Commission.
Kyriakides provided a guarantee that the division would not impede the progress that is currently being made. “A horizontal strategy is necessary because, as she stated in her mandate, the Beating Cancer Plan was contributed to by up to thirteen Commissioners.”
“It is going to work effectively because,” “COVID Health needs to be viewed across all policies to develop comprehensive strategies,” she stated in her official statement.
Nevertheless, there have been enquiries regarding the appointment of Oliver Varhelyi as Health Commissioner of Hungary. The European Parliament’s acceptance of Varhelyi’s appointment is dubious due to his limited experience in the medical field and his staunch support of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Kyriakides, conversely, is optimistic and anticipates that von der Leyen’s personnel will be “well-prepared and capable of participating.”
She underscored the importance of collaboration among the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Union Council to guarantee the successful implementation of health policy over the next five years during her speech.
At the conclusion of the meeting, she declared, “The initial COVID step will be to establish that relationship, as the European Parliament has been an essential partner over the past five years.”
SOURCE: EN
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