Health Minister Michael Hadjipandela attended the EU Health Council, which took place today, 9 December 2022, in Brussels.
The procurement of COVID-19 vaccines was the main topic of discussion, with Ministers exchanging views on the EU's future approach to the joint procurement of vaccines. In his intervention, the Minister of Health, after referring to the specificities of our country in relation to the supply of medicines, stressed that Cyprus supports the continuation of the common European strategy for the supply of vaccines against COVID-19. At the same time, he highlighted the need for existing vaccine agreements to be negotiated with companies. In line with the position expressed by the Minister of Health at the Informal Council in Prague and adopted by the plenary, he recommended ensuring the delivery of updated forms of vaccines, extending both delivery schedules and the shelf life of vaccines. It also stressed the need for contracts to include a flexibility clause, with the possibility to adapt to the epidemiological situation.
Member States also 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 EU Council on the progress of work on two ongoing legislative dossiers, 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 human use.
During 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 multi-dimensional. He then referred to the initiatives and actions undertaken by Cyprus in recent years, including the establishment of a new Mental Health Centre in Athalassa, with funding from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Plan. The subject of the meeting was the establishment of bilateral cooperation on cancer, health systems management and e-health through the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
(MF/MG)
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