Brussels, 11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - During the first day of their informal meeting in Nicosia on 10 July, EU health ministers and Health Commissioner John Dalli expressed the need for better coordination of action to further inform the public on organ donation and transplantation. Procedures should be simplified to allow donated organs to be used in other countries. This is a topic of the greatest importance in view of the increasing shortage of organs available for transplantation. “It is worth considering the large number of patients who will benefit from a compatible donor, the cost effectiveness of transplantation surgery, and the large number of patients on waiting lists for a compatible donor, to understand the need for further coordinated action, to raise public awareness on this issue”, said Cypriot Health Minister Stavros Malas. “Organ donation and transplantation can make the difference between life and death for thousands of European citizens”, added Dalli. All those taking part in the meeting acknowledged the need for further reinforcement of funding sources for organ transplant programmes.
Discussions also took in youth employment in the health sector, following a presentation by Commissioner Dalli of the action plan in the health sector, which forms part of the employment package. Innovative approaches and more appropriate strategies have to be found, ministers stressed. The programmes financed by European funds should offer more in the way of training and job opportunities for young people in the health sector, and focus more on upgrading the skills of older workers. (IL/transl.rt)