The EU4Health programme, with a budget of €5.1 billion, in the present multiannual financial framework, can be considered a drop of water in the universe of European funds. However, it carries within itself a huge ambition, which has become more viable in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic: the construction of a true European Health Union.
At stake is a joint effort to respond to challenges that are common to all Member States. Not just in times of crisis, like the one triggered by the coronavirus, but to deal with problems that affect tens of millions of Europeans. In particular, rare diseases, oncological diseases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among others.
The construction of this European Health Union will imply a much more decisive commitment than the one that is embodied in EU4Health, covering strong investments and coordination in areas such as infrastructure, scientific research and innovation and investment in strengthening the qualifications of citizens, from training more specialists to strengthen the health literacy of the entire population, with special attention to patients and their families.
This last aspect is particularly important because our hopes of developing more intensive cooperation will be unrealizable without the development of a European Health Data Area, the implementation of which cannot leave anyone behind.
The creation of a European Data Area, covering the health sector, is one of the priorities of the European Commission for this legislature. Its implementation will serve two fundamental purposes. On the one hand, directly support the provision of health care. On the other hand, to contribute to scientific research and the elaboration of public policies in this sector. Both could lead us to significant gains in efficiency, not only in the responses given to patients, but also in the return on investments made in this sector.
When we refer to the sharing of health data, we are referring to electronic health records, genomic data, data referring to clinical records of patients, and others that can contribute to a better understanding of the health problems that affect Europeans and to find the best solutions. answers. We must guarantee the anonymity of all citizens whose information is collected. This is an absolutely fundamental aspect, in which we are obliged to be rigorous. However, no one will deny the potential of digital in the healthcare sector.
The data already exists. Looking at the Portuguese reality, particularly relevant given the weight of ours in the National Health Service, there is an enormous source of records available, which could be put at the service of improving the quality of services provided to patients, from diagnosis to treatment. This is, in fact, a benefit that we could already be reaping at the national level. However, the gains will be even greater when the national information is cross-referenced with that existing in the other Member States.
If the political will exists, it will be necessary to create the conditions for this European Health Data Area to become a reality. We need to create an organization model that facilitates the access and use of data, providing the infrastructures, such as networks, interfaces and clouds of data. We will have to develop several digital tools. And we will have, as I mentioned, to invest in the digital literacy of health professionals and citizens.
At the same time, we will have to build, both internally and at European level, a true culture of cooperation. Not just between Member States, but also between universities, researchers, hospitals, private companies, professionals and regulators.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, MEP for the PSD
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