Filenews 9 December 2022
The Minister of Health, Mr. Michalis Hatzipantelas, participated in the work of the EU Health Council, which took place today in Brussels.
The procurement of COVID-19 vaccines was a main topic of discussion, with ministers exchanging views on the EU's future approach to joint procurement of vaccines. In his intervention, the Minister of Health, after referring to the peculiarities of our country in relation to the supply of medicines, stressed that Cyprus supports the continuation of the common European strategy for the procurement of vaccines against COVID-19. At the same time, he highlighted the need for existing vaccine agreements to be negotiated with companies. Consistent with the position expressed by the Minister of Health at the Informal Council in Prague and adopted by the plenary, he suggested ensuring the receipt of the updated forms of vaccines, lengthening both the delivery schedules and the shelf life of the vaccines. At the same time, he stressed the need for the contracts to include a flexibility clause, with the possibility of adjustment depending on the epidemiological situation.
Member States updated the Council Recommendation on cancer screening (dating back to 2003) and adopted conclusions on vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving public health.
Furthermore, ministers were briefed by the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU on the state of play regarding two ongoing legislative files, the proposed regulation on the European health data space, and the draft regulation on quality and safety standards for substances of human origin intended for use in humans.
Over a working lunch, ministers exchanged views on Mental Health, on the basis of the European Commission's initiative for a European Year of Mental Health. In his intervention, the Minister of Health, after noting that mental health services must be accessible to all, stressed that Cyprus supports the Commission's initiative, noting that the challenges are many and multidimensional. Mr. Hatzipantela then referred to the initiatives and actions undertaken by Cyprus in recent years, including the creation of a new Mental Health Center in Athalassa, with funding from the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan.
In the margins of the Council, the Minister for Health held talks with Ms Krista Kiuru Minister for Family Affairs and Social Services of Finland, who, among other things, is responsible for her country's health issues. The topic of the meeting was the institutionalization of bilateral cooperation on the issues of cancer, management of health systems and e-health, through the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
