Informal meeting of EU Health Ministers

Source: Romanian presidency of the EU (Romanian presidency) i, published on Monday, April 15 2019.

The Health Ministry, in the context of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, organizes the informal meeting of the Ministers of Health on 15 April. The sessions will take place inside the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest.

The event brings together the Ministers of the Member States of the European Union and will be chaired by Romanian Health Minister Sorina Pintea. The meeting will also be attended by General Director Anne Bucher of DG SANTE i, responsible for health and food safety, as well as Director Maria Magdalena Meulenbergs of World Health Organization.

Discussion agenda:

The two working sessions will be dedicated to the following topics:

  • Access to medicines - patient access to innovative and expensive medicines and treatments;
  • Information on cross-border healthcare - patient mobility. Health plays an essential role in guaranteeing access to health for all European citizens, being a central pillar of EU i health policy. Investing in health is a crucial element in reducing social and economic disparities.

With regard to the first working session, possible solutions, will be discussed, on patient access to innovative therapies as well as identifying possible solutions for the continued treatment of patients with clear therapeutic benefits following their participation in clinical trials.

In regards to the second working session, the talks will focus on improving access to planned cross-border healthcare, improving access to appropriate information, and exchanging experience on the implementation of the EU Directive. This approach allows EU citizens to reap the benefits of cross-border healthcare. Also, medical systems, especially those in border regions, can become more efficient through cross-border collaboration. Health ministers from EU Member States will also debate the theme of patient mobility under the age of 18 and with rare diseases.

Practical information:

  • ACCREDITATION
  • Journalists can attend the meeting only if they have a valid accreditation for the event organized under the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (https://accreditation.romania2019.eu/; registration was open until April 5, 2019).
  • Journalists can apply for an accreditation using the portal https://accreditation.romania2019.eu/. Mass-media representatives can collect their badges exclusively in person, by presenting a valid ID and a printed copy of the e-mail that states that the accreditation has been approved. The access badges can be obtained before the day of the meeting, from the Accreditation Centre in the Palace of Parliament (Izvor Street, 2-4, S2 entrance, Bucharest), between 9.00 AM - 17:00 PM, or on the day of the event, between 7.00 AM - 18.00 PM.
  • Journalists without an accreditation have to present a valid ID and a confirmation letterhead paper. The letter should state the name of the journalist and the media institution represented by them.
  • MEDIA CENTER
  • During the reunion, the Media Center will be open in the Palace of Parliament, Iuliu Maniu Hall. Journalists have access to it exclusively through the access point in Izvor Street, 2-4, S2 Entrance.
  • Video footage of the event will be offered by TVR, the Romanian Public Television and official broadcaster of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
  • Journalists will have access inside the Palace of Parliament, on the 15 April, for the activities related to the Informal meeting of Health ministers.
  • PRELIMINARY MEDIA PROGRAMME

Monday, 15 April

08:30 - 09:00 Doorsteps - photo/video opportunities for accredited journalists

Location: Palatul Parlamentului, C1 entrance

Handshake - photo/video opportunities for accredited journalists

Location: Palatul Parlamentului, in front of Ion I.C. Brătianu Hall

09:00 - 09:15 Tour de table - photo/video opportunities exclusively for accredited cameramen and photographers

11:00 Family photo - photo/video opportunities for accredited journalists

Location: Palatul Parlamentului, in front of Al.I. Cuza

15:30 Press conference

Participating: Sorina Pintea, Health minister and Anne Bucher, General Director of DG SANTE, responsible for health and food safety

Location: Palatul Parlamentului, Nicolae Iorga Hall

Provisional Agenda

Who’s who