EU4Health programme receives fairly positive first reactions from health ministers
The EU Member States, Finland included, have tentatively adopted a favourable view of the proposed new EU4Health programme for 2021–2027. Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru represented Finland in the video conference.
Finland considers EU health programmes necessary
On 28 May, the European Commission published its updated proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027. It includes a proposal for a new health programme called EU4Health.
The programme aims to protect people from serious cross-border health threats, improve access to medicines, medical devices and other products needed in a crisis situation, and strengthen health systems and the competence of health care personnel.
Finland has considered the EU's health programmes to be necessary and welcomes the new separate programme. Finland supports the proposal’s emphasis on health security, crisis preparedness and prevention. Finland considers it important that the new measures, based on the experiences gained from the coronavirus crisis, and long-term public health work are balanced throughout the programme period.
Finland emphasises the wellbeing economy as a useful approach to creating a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable Europe, with close ties with the global community, in all policies. Finland considers that investments in health and wellbeing based, for example, on digitalisation also contribute to recovery from the economic crisis.
Finland also considers it important that the new programme contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030).
- However, certain parts of the programme require further clarification. These include issues related to Member States' decision-making power and influence, the proposed indicators and certain questions concerning competence, says Kiuru.
Inquiries:
Veli-Mikko Niemi, Director-General, firstname.lastname@stm.fi
Sari Vuorinen, Senior Specialist, firstname.lastname@stm.fi