As the newly established Committee on Public Health (SANT) begins its journey as a standing committee with legislative powers, the urgency of its mission cannot be overstated. The lessons of recent years have underscored the critical importance of prioritizing health policy across the European Union (EU). With this expanded mandate, the SANT Committee has a unique opportunity to lead on key initiatives that will shape the future of healthcare in Europe.
Strengthening and Delivering on Existing Plans
The cornerstone of our efforts must include the continued implementation of the EU Beating Cancer Plan. This ambitious plan represents a commitment to reduce the burden of cancer across the EU, but to achieve its full potential, we must ensure rigorous oversight of its execution and funding. The focus on prevention, research, and equitable access to treatments must remain paramount.
Equally important is the rollout of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Unlocking the power of health data will not only transform research and innovation but also improve patient outcomes and empower individuals to have greater control over their health information. However, we must address challenges related to data privacy, interoperability, and access to ensure this initiative benefits all Member States equally.
Addressing Rare Diseases and Expanding Newborn Screening
With between 27 and 36 million individuals in the EU affected by one of the estimated 6,000 to 8,000 distinct rare diseases, the challenges are vast and multifaceted. These conditions often lack effective treatments, and patients frequently face delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialized care.
Together with colleagues across political groups we are calling for an EU action plan on rare diseases to provide better support for patients and their families. Rare diseases often fall through the cracks of traditional healthcare systems, leaving patients underserved and underfunded. Coupled with this, there is a pressing need to establish extended newborn screening (NBS) programs across the EU to ensure early detection and intervention for a broader range of conditions. Expanding and standardizing NBS for more conditions is vital to identifying rare diseases early and ensuring that all patients receive the best possible care from the outset. Harmonizing these programs across the EU will reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for people living with a rare disease.
Public Consultation on Rare Diseases
In alignment with our commitment to prioritize rare diseases, the European Parliament has launched a public consultation to gather insights and perspectives from stakeholders across the EU. This initiative aims to inform the development of comprehensive policies that address the unique challenges faced by the rare disease community. We encourage patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and all interested parties to participate actively in this consultation. Stakeholders’ contributions are invaluable in shaping effective and inclusive health policies.
Enhancing Cross-Border Healthcare and European Reference Networks
Rare diseases inherently mean that there may not be enough patients, clinical expertise, or infrastructure to diagnose or treat them in every Member State. This makes the European Reference Networks (ERNs) and the full implementation of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBHD) crucial to improving patient outcomes and eliminating disparities in care. Dedicated funding and infrastructure support are essential in overcoming challenges in treating small, dispersed patient populations. Strengthening ERNs by integrating them into national healthcare systems will help connect experts and consolidate knowledge, ensuring equitable access to specialized care across Europe.
Negotiating a Sustainable and Accessible Pharmaceutical Framework
The ongoing negotiations on the General Pharmaceutical Legislation (GPL) will define the EU’s approach to ensuring sustainable, innovative, and accessible medicines. Balancing affordability with incentivizing innovation is a delicate task, and we must approach it with patient-centered solutions at the forefront.
Additionally, upcoming proposals such as the Critical Medicines Act and the Biotech Act will play a pivotal role in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and fostering research and development. These measures are critical to ensuring that Europe remains a leader in biomedicine while safeguarding the availability of essential medicines. Creating a European framework and legislation for the biotechnological innovative research and development will enhance our health industry’s competitiveness. Additionally, the harmonization of medical technology legislation with the revision of Medical Device Regulation (MDR) will encourage innovations due to clearer authorization procedures and reduced administrative burden on the EU market.
Tackling Workforce Shortages and Regional Disparities
As a medical doctor from Hungary, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of healthcare workforce shortages. Throughout my career, I have seen dedicated professionals struggling to provide care in under-resourced facilities, overburdened by increasing patient loads, and often forced to leave their home countries for better opportunities abroad. This is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore.
The upcoming EMPL and SANT joint report must lay out clear recommendations to address these challenges. Urgent action is needed to tackle disparities, particularly in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The EU must encourage and guide Member States to improve workplace infrastructure, ensure continued training for healthcare professionals, diversify and clarify the competencies of specialized nurses, and strengthen chambers, trade unions, and patient organizations. Addressing these issues will help balance negotiations on health service pricing, wages, and rights.
Furthermore, we must develop a strategic plan to counteract the brain drain of healthcare professionals. The loss of skilled doctors and nurses to wealthier Member States leaves vulnerable populations in rural and less-developed areas without access to adequate care. Without systemic reforms and targeted investments in retention programs, we risk deepening existing healthcare inequalities.
Charting the Path Forward
As we prepare to tackle these priorities, I am reminded of the responsibility we hold: to ensure that health remains a central pillar of EU policy. The SANT Committee’s strengthened role gives us the tools to lead, but leadership requires bold action and collaboration.
In the coming months, the challenges will be significant, but so too is the opportunity to create a healthier, more equitable, and resilient Europe. By advancing these critical initiatives and addressing disparities, we can deliver real change for the citizens we serve.
Health is not just a policy area—it is the foundation of our collective well-being and the cornerstone of Europe’s future. Health is wealth.
This article was published with the support of EUCOPE
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