Brussels, 05/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU health ministers, meeting at Egmont Palace in Brussels on Monday 5 July, discussed the findings of the conference on “Lessons learned from the influenza pandemic A(H1N1)2009” held in the Belgian capital on 1 and 2 July 2010. This conference brought together representatives of member states and other invited countries, relevant international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, European agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) and Control and the European Medicine Agency (EMEA).
Early assessment, epidemiological surveillance, multi-sectoral collaboration and economic impact and medical measures, including use of antiviral medication and vaccines, were analysed, as well as information management and communication to citizens and stakeholders. During the debate, special attention was given to the possibilities to minimise the uncertainty, especially at the onset of a pandemic, on the severity of the virus and the affected population groups and to the need for better coordination of implementation of strategies on use of antiviral medication and vaccines. Additionally, the preparedness of various sectors and the collaboration between different business sectors was discussed with a view to increasing collaboration between sectors and to minimising the economic impact of a health crisis. A parallel session was organised to discuss the communication to citizens and professionals, and also to analyse possibilities for more active involvement of stakeholders and use of new media.
The lessons learnt by experts and ministers on how the pandemic was handled in Europe are all the more keenly awaited as the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has roundly berated the WHO and national administrations, lambasting them for failing to be impartial (there have been claims of conflicts of interest, with some experts charged with assessing the risks also being paid by the pharmaceutical industry) in risk assessment and the vaccination response chosen. The Parliamentary Assembly, backed by a large number of MEPs, regrets the additional costs incurred by vaccination campaigns in some member states and the potential loss of confidence among the general population in public health systems.
“At a European level - we have to confess - we have to improve in terms of cohesion and coordination. All member states managed the pandemic with the different means they had at their disposal. As the virus was far less virulent than expected, we have limited its impact, but without the necessary cohesion between member states. Therefore, it is important to me that our first informal meeting of the health ministers evaluates the way the influenza pandemic was managed,” said Belgian Health Policy Minister Laurette Onkelinx. “We have to analyse - objectively and with a critical eye - the national and European and WHO instruments that have been mobilised. Some of the measures taken have shown their effectiveness. Others will have to be completely reviewed,” she added on the eve of the opening of the informal meeting of health ministers, which will end on Tuesday with a debate on health safety.
EUROPE will report on the outcome of this meeting tomorrow. (O.J./transl.rt)