Committee with recommendations for better EU preparedness in the field of health

The Parliament’s Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic, of which MEP Irena Joveva is a member, has adopted recommendations to improve the European Union’s crisis management and preparedness for possible future health emergencies. MEPs analysed the impact of the pandemic, assessed the effectiveness of EU and national measures, and made specific recommendations to address gaps and weaknesses in the response.

Key health proposals put forward by the Special Committee include increased investment in healthcare, the introduction of surveillance plans on emerging health threats, the implementation of stress tests on national healthcare systems, greater transparency of joint procurement, increasing the EU’s strategic autonomy with regard to key pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines, and the development of an EU strategy to deal with possible similar pandemics in the future.

To safeguard democracy and fundamental rights, MEPs are calling for better protection of the right to information and freedom of expression, enhanced crisis communication and transparent decision-making procedures, parliamentary oversight at both EU and national level when adopting emergency legislation, and concrete measures to support marginalised communities, minorities and disadvantaged people during crises.

To tackle the social and economic impact of the crisis, the Special Committee’s report calls, among other things, for meeting the needs of the growing elderly population and for setting standards for teleworking conditions throughout the European Union.

On recommendations for action at the global level, MEPs call for increased international investment and strengthened international health regulations.

The report of the Special Committee, which has now concluded its work, is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament at its July plenary session in Strasbourg.