"Health is the most important thing in our lives. Health data are valuable both for the individual concerned and for our society. I am convinced that a European e-health platform will trigger a paradigm shift for our European health systems and it will become a goldmine for patience, doctors and researchers." said EPP-CoR rapporteur on European Health Data Space (EHDS), Daniela Cîmpean.
The EHDS is a platform proposed by the European Commission to facilitate the exchange of health data, establishing clear rules, common standards and practices, digital infrastructure and governance. It covers both the use of electronic health data, transferring control of those data from medical institutes to patients, and the use of the data for the purposes of research or the development of public health policies.
During the debate, the rapporteur spoke about the possible challenges that will rise in creating this system such as the standardising of medical terminology, ensuring medical data is available to doctors in the language of which the health data is accessed, and the centralised storage of images which require large storage space.
The rapporteur highlighted that the secure management of data is fundamental for the success of the EHDS, given the sensitive nature of medical data. Each member state will have to appoint a digital health authority, that will be involved in the cross-border digital infrastructure which will help patients exchange data across borders.
Cîmpean, who is President of Sibiu County Council talked about the key role of cities and regions that are at the forefront of contributing to the European Health Data Space by engaging family doctors and regional hospitals in the process. She pointed out that EHDS will need rules which clearly specify situations where conflict of interest and unfair competition occur, in regard to the collection and use of health data. Trust in the secure management of data is fundamental for the success of the EHDS, given the sensitive nature of medical data.
Ending her intervention, Daniela Cîmpean concluded that: "The benefits of this platform are clearly more important and the challenges are worth the effort. Such a platform will enable patients to benefit of medical services all over Europe, having their medical history at hand for a proper diagnostic."