Filenews 17 July 2025
The opinion submitted by AKEL MEP, G. Georgiou, on behalf of the Public Health Committee, on the new EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024, was approved today by a large majority.
Mr. Georgiou, as rapporteur, underlined that through collective work we have succeeded in adopting a holistic proposal that, if implemented, will ensure real inclusion and accessibility, for a quality, independent life with dignity, as every person should have. However, as he stressed, there is a need for political will, so that the proposals submitted after consultation with the organizations of the disabled become a reality!
According to Mr. Georgiou, the new European strategy is a powerful tool in the fight for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society, for fair access to work and education, for equal access to public, quality health and home care services, for public social welfare and trafficking services, for protection from high prices. To ensure the obvious!
Among other things, the report highlights the need to:
– ensure that the definition of 'persons with disabilities' includes all cases, temporary and permanent disabilities;
– to immediately revise the Patient Mobility Directive in order to introduce reimbursement of additional costs and accessibility
– Measures should be taken so that all health services are fully accessible in terms of buildings and equipment. Ensure equal access to orphan medicines
– ensure that home care services are provided by trained staff so that the person can live independently and integrated into society;
– simplify national disability recognition procedures in order to avoid delays that hinder access to healthcare, support services and related rights.
– to actively support the families of people with disabilities
– to ensure the involvement of patients' organisations throughout the design and implementation of the Disability Strategy;
In conclusion, Mr. Georgiou called on the Commission and, in particular, the member states to address the problems that people with disabilities are currently facing and to work intensively by investing the funds needed to implement their promises. He also called on those in charge, instead of proudly announcing investments in the war industry, to put people and the needs of society at the center of their policies. Otherwise, as he characteristically ascertained, the index of our civilization will record zero.
