Milan, 22/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Health ministers meeting on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 September in Milan for an informal session, examined the dangers of a possible spread of the Ebola virus in European Union. They discussed member states' preparations and their ability to respond if the virus appears on European territory. The Italian minister for health, Beatrice Lorenzin, informed her peers of the current situation and they held a discussion focusing on the improvement of European aid to the countries affected by the epidemic and what action should be taken to evacuate European medical personnel sent to African countries affected by the epidemic. The precise questions to be raised, explained the minister involve: 1) improved modalities to be introduced for evacuating infected personnel; 2) possible treatment and implementation of appropriate health structures to treat the sick without risk of contamination. WHO members also took part in the discussions.
The other session during the day of 22 September focused on treating pain and palliative care, despite the increase in chronic diseases. Italy informed ministers of its experience and excellent skills in this area and mentioned a 2010 law that aims to guarantee a health and treatment network adapted for patients. The objective pursued by the Italian presidency involves the adoption of a strategy and similar assistance models in all member states on the basis of existing practices and with respect for the subsidiarity principle prevailing in health policy, as a means to enable all citizens to have access to sufficient pain relief treatment. Lorenzin called on the European Commission to help towards developing this process. She also called for the creation of a “European Palliative Care Day”. Lorenzin concluded that it was necessary to set up national networks to treat pain and plan therapies for tackling pain so as to “guarantee patients the right not to suffer and avoid unnecessary pain”. Campaigns in this connection are also expected to be carried out in hospitals, and doctors and medical staff should also be trained and made aware about treating pain and palliative care. (IL)