Supporting the public health sector and formulating an integrated European health strategy

28.4.2020

Question for written answer E-002544/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Giorgos Georgiou

While responsibility for the organisation and provision of healthcare rests with national governments, the EU is required to assist the Member States in achievement of the high standards to which they jointly aspire with regard to public health services and quality healthcare for all.

In view of this:

• 1.Can the Commission say what measures the EU has taken in recent years to help public hospitals deal effectively with emergencies such as the onset of the current pandemic?
• 2.Why has it not yet developed an integrated European health strategy to deal with the immediate fallout (provision of the necessary equipment, medicines and similar products within the EU, direct funding for public hospitals, etc.), together with long-term planning for the post-pandemic management of the health sector?
• 3.What action has it taken to encourage he provision of substantial assistance and support for public health services in the Member States, especially those most affected by the pandemic?