The EU Health Ministers continued their work to coordinate the European response to the health consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meeting in Brussels on Tuesday 29 March, they discussed the reception of Ukrainian refugees and their access to health care in the European Union.
The European Commission provided the EU Council with an update on the needs of refugees fleeing Ukraine and of the Member States in the front line, as well as on the efforts already initiated.
Of the almost 4 million refugees in the EU, a high proportion - children, pregnant women and the elderly - are particularly vulnerable.
In particular, the Commission wants to speed up the transfer of patients requiring hospitalisation via the European Civil Protection Mechanism to ease the pressure on the healthcare systems of Member States in the front line. A capacity of 10,000 beds in European hospitals has been identified for this purpose.
The delivery of medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine and frontline Member States is being undertaken with partners such as the WHO.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides stressed the importance of addressing all dimensions of health care, not just emergency care.
In particular, the Commission will provide specific funds for psychosocial support for refugees through the International Red Cross and civil society organisations.
Vaccination. Vaccination is not forgotten, especially vaccination against serious diseases and the vaccination of children against tuberculosis, measles and polio.
“There are enough Covid-19 vaccines to vaccinate Ukrainian refugees. But the most important thing now is to welcome the Ukrainian refugees and provide them with the care they need”, Ms Kyriakides stressed.
According to her, the EU has already secured 200 million Sanofi typhoid and diphtheria vaccines. 70,000 doses will be delivered to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Moldova through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
The ministerial states will also focus on the provision of medical equipment, especially for women.
On Tuesday, the Commission announced, in the framework of the #StandUpForUkraine campaign (see EUROPE 12920/8), the establishment of a coordination system for the delivery of private sector donations to Ukraine, Moldova and frontline Member States, in cooperation with the Belgian Civil Protection and RescEU. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)