On World Health Day CESI calls for more investment in the European public health sector

In 2022, a campaign of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation (WHO) focuses on the One Health approach, which emphasises the interdependence of animal, human and environmental health and the link between individual choices and social behaviours and their impact on our environment.

In line with the One Health approach, CESI underlines the need to increase investments in public health in order to ensure sufficient human resources and adequate infrastructure for safe and quality health care for all in the EU.

One of the most important lessons learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic has been the need to build strong and resilient national healthcare systems which able to face critical situations that put at risk, either collectively or individually, the health and quality of life of EU citizens.

In line with this, the co-creation of a European Health Union envisages all EU countries to be able to prepare and respond together to health crises, with full medical supplies availability, affordable and innovative prevention, treatment and aftercare for diseases.

Against this idealistic background, as reported by many CESI trade union organisations active in the health sector, national budgets for health have been decreasing rapidly after the third wave of the Covid pandemic, which on the long term will lead to serious structural deterioration of our healthcare systems.

Esther Reyes, President of CESI’s Expert Commission ‘Health Services’ said: “Many national health systems face significant deficits in terms of staffing, infrastructure and funding. This makes them vulnerable and keeps them short from performing at their highest capacity. If we really care for the world, then we should start making the necessary investments for all people to be able to enjoy the most essential health care and go on from there to build resilient and strong healthcare systems which can protect the entire world and its populations.”