EU's Health Emergency Readiness in Question as Auditors Warn of Unresolved Covid Issues

EU's Health Emergency Readiness in Question as Auditors Warn of Unresolved Covid Issues

The European Court of Auditors warns the EU remains unprepared for future health crises, citing unresolved issues from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros

Juan Brignardello Vela

Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, se especializa en brindar asesoramiento y gestión comercial en el ámbito de seguros y reclamaciones por siniestros para destacadas empresas en el mercado peruano e internacional.

Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, y Vargas Llosa, premio Nobel Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, en celebración de Alianza Lima Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, Central Hidro Eléctrica Juan Brignardello, asesor de seguros, Central Hidro
Health 04.09.2024

The European Court of Auditors has sounded the alarm regarding the EU's readiness to tackle future health crises, revealing that significant shortcomings from the Covid-19 pandemic remain unaddressed. In a report released on Wednesday, auditors emphasized that despite having a comprehensive health emergency plan in place prior to the outbreak, the EU faces critical challenges that could hinder its response to future emergencies. João Leão, an ECA member responsible for the audit, stressed the importance of applying the lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis to prevent a repeat of past mistakes. The report highlighted how a lack of coordination among member states regarding data collection and testing hampered the EU's initial response to the pandemic. This disjointed approach meant that vital information was often inconsistent, leading to delays in effective action. The audit noted that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initially misjudged the severity of the Covid-19 situation, only recognizing the need for urgent measures three days after Italy implemented its national lockdown. Compounding the issue was a reported shortage of personnel within EU health agencies, which limited their ability to respond swiftly to the crisis. Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by a lack of medical professionals in various member states. She highlighted a new €1.3 million initiative aimed at boosting nursing staff recruitment, which underscores the persistent staffing issues that were exacerbated during the pandemic. The report also raised concerns about the EU’s complex health organizational framework, suggesting that the establishment of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority in 2021 may have resulted in overlapping roles with existing agencies. The European Commission has responded by recognizing the need to clarify these roles to enhance overall efficiency in emergency responses. Moreover, the report pointed out that varying methodologies employed by national governments in collecting Covid data led to reliance on low-quality information. This inconsistency not only made it difficult to assess the true impact of the pandemic across the EU but also highlighted the need for the ECDC to develop a robust European surveillance system by 2026. Such a system would facilitate the collection of comparable data on infectious diseases throughout the bloc. Tensions surrounding vaccine distribution during the early stages of the pandemic also came under scrutiny. While the EU faced criticism over the limited availability of Covid vaccinations, the report acknowledged that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) made strides in expediting vaccine authorizations, which ultimately mitigated the pandemic's effects. The audit brings to light further challenges in the EU’s health framework, particularly in conducting joint clinical trials, which have seen a decline in Europe’s share of global clinical trials from 25.6 percent in 2010 to 19.3 percent by 2020. This downturn is attributed to increased investment and focus on research and development in the US and China, raising concerns about Europe’s competitiveness in medical innovation. As the World Health Organization calls for a coordinated global effort to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines in Africa, the urgent recommendations outlined in the audit serve as a critical reminder for EU member states to enhance collaboration and preparedness. Without substantive reforms and a commitment to learning from past crises, the EU risks being unprepared for the health challenges that lie ahead.

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