EHMA welcomes the new European Commission’s statement on health

26 September 2019

Commissioner-designate for Health Stella Kyriakides and President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. Source: EU Food.

On 10th September 2019, Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission (EC), presented the candidates for the different portfolios and the new Commission structure.

The new Commission will reflect the needs of a rapidly changing European community, a healthy planet, and a new digital world. To achieve this overarching goal, President-Elect stressed the importance for all College members to strengthen connections with all Member States in the first half of their mandate and move towards better sustainability for European Commission’s activities, including, for example, paperless and digital meetings. President-elect von der Leyen also mentioned the importance of democracy, of understanding the needs of Europeans and creating equal opportunities for all, regardless of where they are or where they come from. With regards to foreign policy, she expressed that she wants a sustainable, reliable Commission even more engaged with its geopolitical neighbors.

Regarding the structure of this new Commission, there will be three Executive Vice-Presidents and five other Vice-Presidents. Among the new Commissioners-designate is Stella Kyriakides, from Cyprus, who will be leading the Health portfolio. Ms Kyriakides is a medical psychologist with vast experience in social affairs, cancer patients advocacy, and prevention

Pictured: Commissioner-designate for Health Stella Kyriakides and President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. Source: EU Food.

Within the mission of protecting and promoting public health, the President-Elect prompted Commissioner-designate Stella to find ways to improve information, expertise and the exchange of best practices for the benefit of society, with special focus on:

  • Ensuring affordable medicine supply
  • Effectively implementing the new regulatory framework on medical devices
  • Exploiting the potential of e-health and reducing inequalities
  • Creating a European Health Data Space to exchange health information and research
  • Implementing the European One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Prioritising communication on vaccination and combat its myths
  • Executing Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to help member states prevent and combat cancer

Click here to find President-Elect Ursula’s statement for Health Commissioner-delegate Kyriakides. More information about the new EC setup can be found here. For further details, please do not hesitate to contact us at policy@ehma.org.

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What our Members say

I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.

Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy

Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria

I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.

Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta

EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.

Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK

Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.

Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary

As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.

Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal

Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.

Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK

Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.

Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain