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Strengthening EU competitiveness in health requires investments in workforce and governance
2 February 2022
Health workforce is centre stage in the discussions on EU preparedness. Together with our long-standing partner, the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), we released a joint statement to underline that increased investments in the workforce and governance are essential for strengthening the EU competitiveness in health. The statement highlights the importance of investing in public health governance, listening to the needs of the health workforce, as well as empowering and involving patients in the decision-making processes. It also underlines the need to building health systems that are resilient and flexible.
On 2 February 2022, together with the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), we released a joint statement ‘Strengthening the EU’s competitiveness in health requires an increased investment in the workforce and governance’.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on countries’ economies and growth, relaunching the EU competitiveness became high on the policy agenda. During the State of the Union Speech on 15 September 2021, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined that the digital policy, health and energy sector will be crucial for the EU recovery and increasing the EU competitiveness both within and outside its borders.
To explore how to move forward, the Institute for Competitiveness hosted a digital symposium on ‘EU’s Path to Competitiveness. How Digital, Energy and Health can lead the Way Forward’ on 11 January 2022. Our Executive Director, George Valiotis spoke at the second panel which looked at the EU preparedness for future health crises and the European Health Union. Welcoming the progress on the European Health Union, he highlighted the need to involve patients in the decision-making processes, listen to the needs of the health workforce, invest in public health governance, and work towards health systems that are resilient and flexible. The importance of valuing the health workforce at its real value, empowering patients, and building strong public health governance was also strongly emphasised by another guest speaker, Ms Dineke Zeegers Paget, Executive Director at EUPHA.
Seeing that the health workforce takes the centre stage in the discussion on the EU preparedness for future challenges, EHMA and EUPHA have launched a joint statement to underline that increased investment in the workforce and governance are essential for strengthening the EU competitiveness in health.
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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