On 2 December, at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) meeting, European health ministers reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and looked into ways of improving Europe’s resilience to health threats. Both the ongoing German Presidency and the incoming Portuguese Presidency recognise the importance of combatting the current public health crisis and strengthening the EU’s preparedness and crisis management, while also boosting research and innovation and reaping the benefits of digital transformation in the health sector.
This CHES online Policy Dialogue looked at the Portuguese priorities for its upcoming Council Presidency in the health area for the upcoming six months. Mr João Lança, Regional Affairs (Azores) and Health Technical Counsellor, Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU, provided an overview of the pillars that will shape the work of the Portuguese Council Presidency in the coming months and described the major health-related targets, not least, better access to medicines, reinforced EU ability to cope with public health crises, European Health Data Space and increased digital health skills.