Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 16 April 2020 - Brussels

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences (continuation of debate)

  István Ujhelyi (S&D), in writing. – The current epidemic situation has also proofed that future action is needed, regardless of the ‘sacredness’ of Member State competences. It is intolerable that the health and quality of life of European citizens depends in particular on the given Member State of the Union they live in. National governments and the European Commission have to strength their resolve and collaboration at EU level to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. They have to adequately plan the recovery phases and better anticipate and manage future health emergencies. We need to develop a coherent set of guidelines and evidence-based strategies on the clinical management of COVID-19 during the emergency and recovery phases. And we have to ensure a future European health response mechanism which will encompass an EU coordinated intensive care strategy that will oversee the timely and consistent supply of treatments, diagnostic tests, medical and technological equipment and at the same time involving doctors, experts and healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations in advisory panels and coordination groups at European level. We need the same standards, and we need the European Minimum Health Service in every Member State.