Kyriakides emphasises ‘My Health, My Right’ principle on World Health Day

EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, stated on Friday that the European Health Union has been shaped by the core principle of “my health, my right,” which is also the theme of this year’s World Health Day.

In a statement released ahead of World Health Day on April 7, Kyriakides said that they have been shaping the European Health Union since 2020.

“Over the past years, the Covid-19 pandemic irreversibly changed the world, testing our societies, our health systems, and our union, to the limit. The EU as a whole rose to the challenge and built on this experience to emerge stronger as a union,” she said.

She added that the EU’s response to the pandemic showed the power of solidarity and cooperation.

“The unprecedented EU Vaccine Strategy ensured that all EU citizens had access to safe and effective vaccines at the same time under the same conditions,” she said.

Looking to the future, Kyriakides emphasised the need for stronger, more resilient, and agile health systems that can effectively address various challenges.

She said: “Our Health Union makes our health systems stronger, putting patients at the centre. Our proposal for a historic reform of the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation will ensure timely access to affordable medicines for all citizens, while supporting a thriving industry.”

Regarding the EU’s global health initiatives, Kyriakides said that the EU is investing €4.4 billion to boost health in partner countries through the EU’s Global Health Strategy through 2027.

Regarding EU actions to deal with cancer, Kyriakides said Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is one of the world’s most ambitious and comprehensive blueprints for action against cancer, backed by €4 billion in EU funding.

“Four years on, it is already making a real difference for millions of cancer patients, families, and carers,” she said.

Addressing mental health, Kyriakides said “Our Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health has put mental and physical health on a par and is working to break the stigma for every citizen living with mental health challenges.”