EU4Health is EU’s response to COVID-19, which has had a major impact on medical and healthcare staff, patients and health systems in Europe. By investing €5.1 billion, therefore becoming the largest health programme ever in monetary terms, EU4Health will provide funding to EU countries, health organisations and NGOs. Funding will be open for applications in 2021.
The new EU4Health programme for 2021-2027 entred into force last 26 of March 2021. This programme’s main objectives include strengthening health systems by supporting countries to coordinate with each other and share data, as well as making medicines and medical devices more available, accessible and affordable. EU4Health will make €5.1 billion available to strengthen the resilience of health systems and promote innovation in the health sector, being the largest health programme ever in monetary terms that will provide funding to EU countries, health organisations and NGOs.
At EU level, Horizon Europe, EU4Health or Digital Europe funding programmes will complement this favourable investment landscape with funds that will be invested in innovative health technologies, digital solutions for the medical sector and exchanges of best practices.
EU4Health will:
- boost EU’s preparedness for major cross border health threats by creating
- reserves of medical supplies for crises
- a reserve of healthcare staff and experts that can be mobilised to respond to crises across the EU
- increased surveillance of health threats
- strengthen health systems so that they can face epidemics as well as long-term challenges by stimulating
- disease prevention and health promotion in an ageing population
- digital transformation of health systems
- access to health care for vulnerable groups
- make medicines and medical devices available and affordable, advocate the prudent and efficient use of antimicrobials as well as promote medical and pharmaceutical innovation and greener manufacturing.
Other EU programmes will provide additional investments in the health sector to complement EU4Health:
- European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support vulnerable groups in accessing healthcare
- European Regional and Development Fund to improve regional health infrastructure
- Horizon Europe for health research
- Union Civil Protection Mechanism/rescEU to create stockpiles for emergency medical supplies
- Digital Europe and Connecting Europe Facility for creating the digital infrastructure needed for digital health tools
Chack the frequently asked question’s (FAQ’s) related to EU4Health here.
