Health Minister in EU Council meeting on the European Health Data Space

The EU’s health ministers discussed the Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the European Health Data Space and the EU's global health strategy during the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) which was held in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

The proposed Regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) aims to facilitate patients' access to their health data in electronic form and the exchange of this data with health professionals within the EU.

Ministers were also briefed on the new emerging health challenges of acute hepatitis in children and of the spread of monkeypox, as well as on the health support and humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine by the European Union.

Cyprus was represented by the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, according to a statement.

In his intervention during the EHDS debate, Hadjipantela welcomed the new proposal for a Regulation from the Commission, noting that the European Health Data Space will promote better exchange and access to different types of health data.

He added that investing in the processing of health data with artificial intelligence will also help in research and innovation, as well as in health policy in general.

Referring specifically to Cyprus, Hadjipantela said that the Cypriot government has moved forward with the adoption of the e-Health Law and the establishment of the independent and autonomous National e-Health Authority.

In an intervention during the debate on the revision of the EU Global Health Strategy, Hadjipantela noted that this sector has changed radically since 2010 and that this is why the strategy needs to be updated, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of international developments, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Hadjipantela said that strengthening multilateralism within the World Health Organization, international solidarity towards low and middle income countries, enhanced cooperation, timely exchange of information on serious cross-border health threats and sharing of best practices are essential parts of this strategy.