During a debate on EU matters for local and regional authorities, EPP-CoR members discussed Regional health systems facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region, President of the EPP-CoR Group said that regional authorities are at the frontline fighting the pandemic. He spoke about the challenges faced by LRAs during the pandemic "We have 13 hospitals under our responsibility so this poses a huge challenge to support them and ensure they have necessary resources." He pointed out that EU funds are crucial in helping to invest in more equipment. Geblewicz is currently serving as the rapporteur for the opinion on 'Cross-border health threats and New mandate of European Disease Control Agency (ECDC)'spoke about the role of regions in cross-border health care.
Birgitta Sacrédeus, Member of Dalarna Regional Council said that in 19 of the 27 Member States the regional level is responsible for healthcare. In this regard she said that "Subsidiarity in emergency cases demands clear command, clear competences, transparency, solidarity and flexibility." Sacrédeus is currently serving as the rapporteur for the opinion on the twin legislation 'Pharmaceutical strategy and New mandate of European Medical Agency (EMA)'.
Joke Schauvliege, Member of the Flemish Parliament speaking about the experiences of Flanders region, she underlined the need to ensure better coordination with national level and invest more for quality healthcare workforce. She added that healthcare systems needed better high quality data on socio-economic factors to identify vulnerable groups and facilitate health care. Schauvliege, is currently serving as the rapporteur on the outlook opinion ‘Experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the coronavirus crisis'.
Sari Rautio, Chair of Hämeenlinna City Board praised collaboration that has developed between institutions and which was key to face the pandemic. She praised healthcare professionals, especially nurses and doctors, but also including management and leaders who have succeeded in organizing professional healthcare in a severe situation.