The NAT Commission of the CoR has today approved the ECR rapporteur Antonello Aurigemma's opinion "Preparing the EU for the next health crisis: a Medical Countermeasures Strategy", which outlines actions to strengthen Europe’s readiness for future health crises, drawing heavily on the lessons of COVID‑19, recent epidemics and the geopolitical tensions affecting European health security.

"When it comes to Medical countermeasures strategy, we need to underline the central role of regional and local authorities. Two‑thirds of EU health systems are decentralised. Excluding these levels from preparedness planning might jeopardise Europe’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to health crises", Mr Aurigemma warned.

Significant investment is needed to ensure EU innovation keeps pace globally, and in that regard, the opinion welcomes the Commission’s investment of €1.65 billion into 22 EU‑level stockpiles of medical countermeasures. Regional authorities, the rapporteur stresses, will be indispensable in planning proximity delivery, ensuring access corridors, and delivering countermeasures in vulnerable areas such as islands, mountains and border regions.

“Preparedness happens on the ground — and that is where we must strengthen capacity", added Mr Aurigemma who concluded pointing at the looming shortage of more than four million health workers by 2030, calling for "improved working conditions, fair pay and measures" to counter “medical deserts”. 

The opinion will be voted by the CoR plenary in May.