Navigating Healthcare Challenges: Malta’s Contributions To EU Health Policy
A recent informal meeting of the European Union’s Health Council was held in Brussels, and attended by Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela.
This assembly provided a crucial platform for discussing sustainable solutions and collaborative strategies essential for advancing health policies that benefit all member states. Here’s a closer look at the key topics and innovative solutions proposed during the meeting.
Workforce Challenges and Responses:
Minister Abela highlighted Malta’s position in healthcare staffing. While the country maintains a sufficient number of doctors, it depends on the recruitment of foreign nurses and carers. He expressed strong support for initiatives under the Belgian Presidency aimed at ensuring a stable supply of nursing staff throughout the EU, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to address healthcare worker shortages.
Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare:
Emphasising the advancement of technology in healthcare, Minister Abela spoke about the crucial role of digital skills and the integration of artificial intelligence. He advocated for AI to augment healthcare workers’ efficiency without replacing human elements, suggesting that such technologies enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
Preventive Health Measures:
The Minister also stressed the importance of ramping up preventive measures to combat prevalent health issues such as strokes, heart diseases, and cancer. He called for an intensified collective effort among EU countries to implement and improve preventive healthcare strategies, which are pivotal in reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
Equitable Access to Pharmaceuticals:
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the ongoing negotiations regarding the pharmaceutical framework. Minister Abela insisted that smaller EU member states should not be at a disadvantage in the single market, advocating for equal access to medications at reasonable prices. He emphasised that a true Health Union cannot exist without such equity in pharmaceutical access, positioning Malta against any barriers that might impede this goal.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Dr. Frank Vandenbroucke, and the Regional Director of WHO, Dr. Hans Kluge, received Minister Abela’s suggestions positively during their concluding remarks.
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