Poklukar calls for stronger role of EU in global health

Berlin – Health Minister Janez Poklukar took part in the EU Health Summit in Berlin on Tuesday to note the importance of a stronger role of the EU in the field global health. “This would bring geopolitical advantages, and would also be useful for member states and contributed to global health,” the Health Ministry quoted Poklukar.

The minister attended a virtual round table debate on the role of the EU in global health, also featuring European Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans P. Kluge and ambassador for global health at the French Foreign Ministry Stephanie Seydoux.

Poklukar said that global health concerned many areas of action in the EU, including development policies, foreign policies and setting security standards in food safety, chemical safety, environmental policy and digital development.

“In addition to just distribution of vaccine, we should also constantly focus on strengthening healthcare systems all over the world in order to ensure preparedness for potential future health threats and universal healthcare.

The ministry added in the press release that Poklukar noted this was one of the key recommendations of the Slovenian presidency of the EU Council.

Commissioner Kyriakides called for more solidarity, which according to her is the most certain path towards healthy, equal and resilient societies.

Also presented at the EU Health Summit was a report of the WHO Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, which says that year and a half into the Covid-19 pandemic, not enough has been done at the global level to ensure an appropriate response.

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