Working Group: Clear decisions on social welfare and health care structures are

The need for social and health services can be reduced by cooperation between different sectors of society, since for instance land use planning and construction decisions may considerably...

The Government has adopted guidelines for the policy on Roma

The Government adopted on 9 December a Resolution on guidelines to promote Finland's policy on Roma. The Resolution is a strong message from the Government that it considers the policy on Roma...

Minister Risikko presents the European Drug Prevention Prize at award ceremony

On 3 - 4 November the Finnish Minister of Health and Social Services Paula Risikko attends the Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group that deals with drug issues under the Council of Europe....

Corporal punishment to be reduced by supporting parents

The aim of the National action programme to reduce corporal punishment of children is to halve the incidence of corporal punishment experienced by children in all population groups by the year...

The Government approved a Report on Gender Equality

The Government approved the Report on Gender Equality on 21 October 2010, and it is now submitted for parliamentary consideration. This report has been drawn up for the first time in Finland. The...

Recommendations to improve the quality of terminal care

The newly published recommendations for terminal care aim at making terminal care more systematic as well as guiding the terminal care practices throughout the country. They are intended for use in...

The target group for seasonal influenza vaccinations extended

This autumn seasonal influenza vaccination is given to the social and health care personnel caring for infected patients or infection-prone patients and to pregnant women.  This vaccine is included...

Obligatory medical examinations for seafarers

It is proposed that the members of ships' crew should undergo medical examinations.  The medical examination will ensure that the person's health state is suitable for work on board ship. The...

High incidence of depression-related disability pensions among ageing professio

58-64 year-old women in professional occupations have the highest incidence of disability pension due to mental disorder. Most of these disability pensions are depression related. Among younger age...

MDPV to be defined urgently as a drug

The Government of Finland proposes that the chemical substance called MDPV should urgently be classified as a narcotic drug, in which case its production, import to Finland, trade, possession and...

The first electronic prescriptions have been given

The first electronic prescriptions have been written and dispensed in Finland. The ePrescription system has been introduced in Turku in one health centre and one pharmacy. During this year its use...

Designer drugs to be forbidden through a faster process

The Narcotics Act is being amended to the effect that Finland could classify as narcotic drugs such new drugs launched on the market that are harmful to health through a faster process than is...

No health hazard from volcanic ash cloud in Finland

Revised EU provisions on social security

Regulation on the coordination of social security systems (European Commission)

Focus on enhancing the quality of gender equality plans and pay surveys

The Amended Act on Equality between Women and Men of 2005 has given impetus to the equality planning at workplaces.  Next, attention should be focused to the quality of the plans.  Visions must be...

Fire safety of cigarettes improved in Finland

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Ministry of the Interior and Valvira inform

Minister Risikko: The interest of the child takes priority

"In Finland, child welfare matters are handled in accordance with the Finnish legislation. Child welfare measures are taken only in case strictly specified grounds are met. In accordance with the...

Vaccinations against swine influenza continue, telephone helpline will be close

Getting a vaccination against swine influenza is still recommended. Vaccinations can contribute to preventing a second wave of the influenza, which is according to experts likely to occur next...

Validity of the emergency legislation reinforcing the solvency of the authorised pension institutions is extended

The provisions on the pension institutions' investment operations and solvency have been amended on a temporary basis due to the international financial crisis. The temporary act was to be in force...

Finland has received 4.2 million doses of vaccine

Finland has so far received 4.2 million doses of the swine flu vaccine. The 1.4 million doses that arrived recently will be distributed to municipalities this week. The rest of the vaccines, a...