Health Council Briefing and EU Presidency Priorities

On 11 December 2024, the European Policy Center (EPC) organized a webinar with regards to health and the Council of the European Union. It addressed the achievement of the outgoing Hungary Presidency, as well as the priorities of the future Polish Presidency, both in the health domain.

Speakers included Elizabeth Kuiper (Associate Director at ECP), Csaba Kontor (Health Attaché at the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU) and Ewa Magdalena Piasecka (Health Attaché at the Polish Permanent Representation to the EU).

Mr. Kontor outlined Hungary’s health-related achievements during its presidency. He noted that the Hungarian Presidency’s horizontal priorities, particularly in the areas of demography and competitiveness, had a significant influence on health policies. Key priorities included addressing non-communicable diseases, with a special focus on cardiovascular health. Mr. Kontor expressed satisfaction that a Council conclusion on this issue had been adopted. Additionally, Hungary has advanced initiatives on organ donation and transplantation, as well as on the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan. Discussions on international health standards were also initiated, and Hungary organized a conference on mental health. The Hungarian Presidency placed a strong emphasis on the role of health technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in improving healthcare.

Looking ahead to the Polish Presidency, Ms. Piasecka highlighted a balance between continuing ongoing work and addressing the new European Commission’s priorities. A key focus would be on security, particularly regarding the availability of critical medicines within the EU. This will involve discussions around the Critical Medicines Act, and further work on the Pharma Package. Ensuring security for every patient in the EU, she emphasized, will be a central goal.
Ms. Piasecka also pointed out the need to address the mental health of children within the broader context of security. This will align with the Commission’s new priorities on digitalization and its associated threats. The Polish Presidency plans to develop Council conclusions on this matter, with a focus on prevention.

Another priority for the Polish Presidency will be the digitalization of healthcare services and the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). A high-level conference on the EHDS is scheduled for 18 March 2025, co-organized by the Polish Presidency and the European Commission.

Moreover, Ms. Piasecka mentioned that the Commission is expected to release a communication on cybersecurity in hospitals, which will be incorporated into the digitalization discussions.
Mr. Kontor acknowledged the importance of healthcare professionals but emphasized that technology and AI could play a complementary role in alleviating some of the pressures faced by these professionals.