Monti Commission: Future crisis management requires investment in health and sustainable development
We now have an opportunity to create the conditions that encourage investment in a healthy population and planet, with adequately resourced, responsive and innovative health care, social care, environmental protection and related systems, the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states in its final report.
The role of the independent Commission has been to gather the best practices adopted by the health care systems in various countries in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and to make recommendations on the investments and reforms required by the health and social services in order to improve their sustainability. The Commission is chaired by Professor Mario Monti, former Prime Minister of Italy.
The Commission's message is that social and health care must be made a social and political priority whilst their critical role in sustainable development and social cohesion must be recognised.
The report presents a number of reasons why future crisis management requires investment in health and sustainable development, introducing new approaches to health and the related determinants based on the lessons learned from the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has exerted an impact not only on health and well-being but also on economies, social cohesion and education. Moreover, these effects have fallen disproportionately on different groups.
Finland has been represented in the Commission by President Tarja Halonen on the proposal of Krista Kiuru, Finland’s Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services. President Halonen, who chaired two different working groups, has, among other things, emphasised the position of vulnerable groups.
‘The report's comprehensive approach to the coronavirus pandemic forms a starting point for sustaining the carrying capacity of both individuals and society. Those who are in a vulnerable position to begin with will be worse hit by the coronavirus, which must be taken into account in planning. For humanitarian reasons, these people should be better supported. This also has a bearing on the overall capacity of the community. Addressing grievances in the aftermath of the pandemic would serve as an effective preventive action with the future in mind,’ says President Tarja Halonen.
‘Investing in sustainable healthcare systems, social and health care and mental health is an investment in crisis-resistant societies,’ notes Krista Kiuru, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services.
Inquiries:
Sarita Friman, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi