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Cancer committee chair: EU should not scrimp on healthcare

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Cancer committee chair: EU should not scrimp on healthcare

Each euro invested in cancer treatment is a step closer to patients’ health, so Europe should not cut corners and leave patients alone in their fight, centre-right MEP Bartosz Arłukowicz told EURACTIV in an interview.

In this regard, the reduction of the EU4Health programme could, for example, hamper the joint purchases of deficient oncological drugs. “EU4Health could help us fight with the shortages of medicines overall, so its worth cannot be overstated,” he said.

Bartosz Arłukowicz is a former health minister of Poland and the incumbent chair of the European Parliament’s special committee on Beating Cancer (BECA). 

In your first speech at the BECA committee, you said that citizens have high expectations of the committee. What outcome would you be satisfied with at the end of these 12 months of work?

I will be pleased if we can work out a final document in which we will suggest, as a committee, common standards of cancer treatment for the entire European Union.

Let’s make an example: access to cancer prophylaxis. There is no reason why women in Eastern Europe should have worse access to mammography or cytology than women in the West.

We cannot have a situation where a patient needs to wait many weeks for a full diagnosis in one country while in another one it can be done in a shorter time

Every country in the EU has something that has worked well in the past and it still works well. Our task is to collect all the good solutions and practices in cooperation with patients, doctors and health care managers and, in the end, create this conclusive document

So, do you think there is an East-West divide in cancer treatment in Europe?

There are certainly differences in access to treatment methods or modern drug technologies. On the other hand, when I was the Minister of Health in Poland, I introduced the so-called oncology package, the main assumption of which was a fast oncological path.

In a nutshell, this programme funds oncological treatments without limits, provided that the diagnosis and the beginning of treatments will take place within a strictly defined timeframe. This solution, despite the initial harsh criticism, has been successfully used in Poland to this day.

As you can see, it is also not the case that countries in this part of Europe do nothing about cancer treatment. We also have a lot to be proud of.

In her state of the union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not mention cancer at all. Is cancer still a top health priority for the EU, or do you feel that the COVID crisis has drawn all the attention away from it in the past few months?

I am convinced that cancer has been and continues to be a priority. The creation of the BECA committee is the best proof of this. Of course, COVID has changed a lot of plans, but the committee I am honoured to chair has just started its work and we are not going to slow down.

I am also sure that cancer, as a challenge facing all of Europe, has not disappeared from President von der Leyen’s sight. I can assure you that, with my activity, I will do everything to ensure that this topic remains high on the agenda.

President Von der Leyen also re-launched the idea of ​​rethinking health competences, which are currently in the hands of member states. Do you think the EU should have greater responsibility for public health, perhaps starting with cancer?

If the EU has been able to successfully conduct, for example, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for years, I see no reason why the same should not apply to public health or, more broadly, health protection. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown that member states will not be able to cope with such challenges alone. We must be brave and establish that health issues have to be a matter for the EU institutions to a greater extent than before.

But what are your expectations for the Commission’s Beating Cancer Plan?

I am counting primarily on working out good solutions that will serve patients. The European Commission has the tools to develop, for example, mechanisms of financial support for member states in the fight against cancer. We should not make savings on healthcare and leave patients alone in their fight against cancer. Each euro invested in cancer treatment is a step closer to patients’ health.

However, the Council has proposed heavy cuts for health, and the initially ambitious EU4Health programme embedded in the recovery fund has almost disappeared.

This would be very bad news for patients all over Europe. I am an ardent supporter of the creation of this fund as I hope it will lead to joint purchases of deficient oncological drugs and thus protect the entire EU population which requires this kind of medical treatments. EU4Health could help us fighting with the shortages of medicines overall, so its worth cannot be overstated.

Commission promises to remedy health cuts made by EU leaders

In her first State of the Union speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need to build a stronger European Health Union, lashing out at the member states for having scrapped the ambitious EU4Health programme embedded in the recovery fund.

The recently disclosed chemicals strategy also focuses on cancer. What do you think about the contribution that other strategies can make to the fight against cancer?

All hands on deck. Every person, every institution, every document that aims to improve the effectiveness of the fight against cancer is worth its weight in gold. As I mentioned before, the BECA committee was created to gather all the effective and good ideas in one place. That is why I am glad to see the mention of cancer risk also in other policies. Awareness of this topic is growing systematically, and thanks to this, we can approach the fight against cancer more comprehensively.

November is lung cancer awareness month. Is there a need to pay special attention to lung cancer as symptoms are now masked by potential COVID-19 symptoms?

Of course, there is such a need. I would even call it a necessity and our duty as politicians. The more we talk about these types of challenges, the more people who can potentially become victims of this type of cancer can be saved. Of course, COVID has made it difficult to diagnose and treat all sorts of diseases, but cancer won’t wait. Cancer is not looking at whether the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing or not. Cancer must be fought as quickly as possible. Only then is there a good chance of a complete recovery of the patient.

[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]

This article was sponsored by AstraZeneca

‘Emergency action’ needed to prevent major polio, measles epidemics

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‘Emergency action’ needed to prevent major polio, measles epidemics

According to the two UN agencies, immunization rates in some countries have fallen by as much as 50 per cent, with people unable to access health services because of lockdown and transport disruptions, or unwillingness due to fear of contracting COVID-19. 

Polio and measles vaccination campaigns, designed to fill gaps in essential services, also had to be paused to prevent possible infection of health workers and communities, while protection measures were put in place. 

“COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health services and in particular immunization services, worldwide,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. 

 “But unlike with COVID, we have the tools and knowledge to stop diseases such as polio and measles. What we need are the resources and commitments to put these tools and knowledge into action,” he added. 

“If we do that, children’s lives will be saved.” 

‘Urgent call to action’ 

UNICEF and WHO estimate that about $655 million are needed to address dangerous immunity gaps in middle-income countries, which are not eligible for Gavi assistance. Of that figure, $400 million are needed to support polio outbreak response over 2020-2021, and $255 million to prepare for, prevent and respond to measles outbreaks over the next three years. 

Issuing an urgent call to action, the two UN agencies warned that if left unchecked, the situation posed an “increasingly high risk of explosive outbreaks and potentially further international spread of both polio and measles.” 

Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, said that the world “cannot allow” the fight against one deadly disease – COVID-19 – to impact the fight against other diseases. 

“Addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic is critical. However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world. That is why today we are urgently calling for global action from country leaders, donors and partners,” she said. 

“We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritize immunization systems that are critical to protect children and avert other epidemics besides COVID-19.” 

Respond to emerging outbreaks 

WHO and UNICEF also called on countries to respond urgently to emerging disease outbreaks, prioritize immunization in national budgets and strengthen collaboration with partners for increased synergies. 

They also noted that new tools, including a next-generation novel oral polio vaccine and a forthcoming Measles Outbreak Strategic Response Plan are expected to be deployed over the coming months to help tackle these growing threats in a more effective and sustainable manner, and ultimately save lives. 

ESMA updates Q&A on Benchmarks Regulation

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officialinstitutions
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ESMA updates Q&A on Benchmarks Regulation

The Q&As provide clarification on transitional provisions of the Regulation regarding critical benchmarks.

The purpose of this Q&A is to promote common supervisory approaches and practices in the application of the BMR. It provides responses to questions posed by the general public, market participants and competent authorities in relation to the practical application of the BMR. The content of this document is aimed at competent authorities under the Regulation to ensure that their supervisory activities are aligned with the common practices set out in the responses adopted by ESMA. The updated Q&As also provide guidance to market participants on BMR requirements.

Next steps

ESMA will periodically review these Q&A and update them where required.

Helicopter paramedic nurse Jacqueline Zbären – providing emergency care in inhospitable terrain

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Helicopter paramedic nurse Jacqueline Zbären – providing emergency care in inhospitable terrain

Rega – Swiss Air-Rescue

“Most of my missions stand out in some way or another due to the nature of helicopter operations. They often entail emergencies either on a mountain or in inaccessible terrain, or otherwise involve serious patterned injuries or time-critical medical conditions,” explains Jacqueline Zbären, a helicopter paramedic nurse working in the Bernese Highlands in Switzerland.

“Something that has made quite the impression on me is that major accidents can occur in the most unremarkable day-to-day activities, like biking or getting groceries, or else during a simple day trip in the mountains. Healthy individuals of any age can suddenly develop life-threatening diseases, like pulmonary embolisms and heart attacks, or trip and sustain major injuries,” adds the 37-year-old, who works at one of the 12 helicopter bases of Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) distributed across the country.

“Having witnessed how someone’s life can change abruptly has increased my awareness of my own health and well-being.”

Time is of the essence

“The team in the helicopter is made up of a pilot, a doctor and a paramedic nurse, and the operations centre we’re in touch with over radio. When we receive the emergency notification, when the weather permits take-off, we have as little as 5 minutes to be ready to be airborne. During winter and summer tourist seasons, the base I work at is open 24/7 and shifts can last 24 or 48 hours.

“In primary missions, which are almost 90% of the operations of our helicopter base, we rescue or deliver the first medical assistance on the scene of an accident, while secondary missions involve relocating a patient from one health-care facility to another. In all our operations, the decisive factor is time.

“I’ve always known I wanted to work in the medical field, and I chose the nursing profession because it offered a wide variety of specialization options. The emergency setting fascinated me, which is why I specialized in anaesthesia after my 4-year nursing degree and then proceeded to a 2-year training to become a paramedic nurse. After working for 8 years in paramedicine, I switched to helicopter rescue operations about a year ago, after completing a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Technical Crew member training.

“The biggest difference from working in a hospital is that in many hospital settings, you have several patients for whom you are responsible. As a paramedic nurse, you have only 1 or 2 to focus on, and while the care is limited in time, it is very intense.”

Managing the unpredictable

“The most defining elements of my work are its unpredictability and the diversity of my tasks. We can be requested to fly to the scene of a car accident, to rescue someone injured in the mountains or to transfer critical-care patients.

“I can be discussing expected medical needs with the emergency physician en route, but then the situation on the ground turns out to be entirely different. Or else, in rare cases, I am required to leave the doctor at a scene while the pilot and I must leave for another mission where I have full autonomy.

“In flight, I oversee medical, technical and operational tasks. I care for the patient’s well-being in close dialogue with the doctor, assist the pilot by operating the navigation devices and radio, and handle the hoist to lower down the doctor or a helicopter rescue specialist from the Swiss Alpine Club when we cannot land.

“I have to slip in and out of various roles and mindsets – I may be thinking of the medical equipment needed upon landing, then help the pilot reach our destination, and moments later think strategically about how best to transport the patient to the helicopter.

“We undergo continuous training to hone our medical, technical and operational skills and, above all, to be prepared for every eventuality.”

Calendrier du 9 novembre au 15 novembre 2020

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European Commission
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Calendrier du 9 novembre au 15 novembre 2020

European Commission Commissioners’ weekly activities Brussels, 06 Nov 2020 (Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)
Déplacements et visites
 
Lundi 9 novembre 2020
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade)
President von der…

‘Desperate Stuff’: No 10 Reportedly Denies EU Taunts That UK is Stalling Trade Talks Over US Election

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Guest Author
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'Desperate Stuff': No 10 Reportedly Denies EU Taunts That UK is Stalling Trade Talks Over US Election

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has dismissed EU accusations that Britain was deliberately procrastinating over Brexit trade talks to wait until the winner of the US presidential election has been determined, reports The Sun.

No 10 Downing Street rejected as “simply untrue” speculations that UK concerns that an administration led by Democrat Joe Biden might adopt a tougher stance on a US-UK trade deal could prompt London to grant more concessions to Brussels in order to get a deal done with the EU.

A source was cited as brushing off such claims by officials in Brussels as no more than “wishful thinking” and “desperate stuff”.

‘Mass Bargaining Session’

Following almost two weeks of intense negotiations between the EU and the UK that have not resulted in any breakthrough on major sticking points, Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier is claimed to have rejected London’s calls to elevate ongoing Brexit talks to leaders’ level.


©
AFP 2020 / JESSICA TAYLOR
A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking in the House of Commons in London on November 2, 2020 on new coronavirus lockdown measures.

Warning that they were on a “trajectory” for a No Deal scenario, he was reported to have denounced the UK’s attempts to turn the current stage of talks on shaping the post-Brexit relationship between the sides into a “mass bargaining session”.

Some EU officials were claimed to have accused Britain of calling time on talks early this week amid the tight US election race between President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Sources were cited by the outlet as suggesting that at a private briefing to senior MEPs Michel Barnier railed against No10 gearing up for a “big tug of war at the end”, with as many as 30 issues open for further discussion.


©
REUTERS / HENRY NICHOLLS
European Union’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier wears a protective face mask as he arrives at 1VS conference centre ahead of Brexit negotiations in London, Britain October 24, 2020.

The French politician serving as the European Commission’s Head of Task Force for Relations with the UK reportedly fears that Boris Johnson hopes to wangle more concessions in a direct showdown with president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Key contentious issues up for debate between the sides have been access to UK fishing waters by EU boats and the need to have common regulatory standards and fair competition.

On fishing, the UK has urged that opportunities be calculated on the basis of ‘zonal attachment’ – a move that would increase the amount of fish caught in UK waters by British boats, while the EU says reaching a “fair deal” on fisheries is a pre-condition for a free trade agreement.

Referring to London’s tactics, Barnier is claimed by sources as having told European diplomats:

“I keep telling them that’s not going to happen… You can’t have things going up to that level that haven’t been gone over with a fine toothcomb.”

The official is cited as having added that unless Downing Street changes its approach to negotiations with Brussels, next week, a deal won’t be reached.

​Currently, British and EU negotiators are taking a three-day break from talks and are scheduled to reconvene in London on Sunday.

Both sides have been trying to strike a trade deal since the UK left the EU on 31 January in time for the agreement to be ratified by the end of the year, when a post-Brexit transition period ends.

Migration: Worsening conditions for migrants and refugees across Europe

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European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
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Migration: Worsening conditions for migrants and refugees across Europe

The Moria fire

In September, the Moria camp on Lesvos burned down, leaving about 12,000 people without shelter. Most of them were transferred to an emergency site, which was later flooded. This prompted renewed calls for a dignified and long-term solution for people seeking asylum in Greece.

During his visit to Moria in October, FRA’s Director Michael O’Flaherty offered the Agency’s support to meet international human rights standards as new facilities are developed.

Situation at the border

Both at land and sea borders, the number of reported pushbacks is increasing.

As the Coronavirus pandemic situation abated in summer, the number of migrants and refugees arriving to Europe increased again.

Over 300 people have died or gone missing while trying to reach European shores. Moreover, authorities in many countries do not allow ships to land in their ports, leaving people stranded at sea. Many migrants are also attempting to cross the Channel.

Asylum procedure

The number of asylum applications is still significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels.

Many national authorities managed to reduce the backlog of asylum applications despite the Coronavirus challenges, but applicants still face long waiting times. Access to the asylum procedures remains complicated – applicants lack information and legal support. Many family reunification procedures are on hold because of the pandemic.

Reception centres

Many centres remain overcrowded, making it difficult to follow COVID-19 hygiene and physical distancing measures.

In some countries, arrivals are not promptly registered, which prevents access to accommodation and food. In others, migrants have to undergo a quarantine in undignified conditions.

Child protection

Thousands of unaccompanied children continue living in unsuitable conditions.

After the fires in Moria, a number of countries – such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia – committed to relocate 400 unaccompanied children who had been living in the camp.

Policy developments

On 23 September, the European Commission published a new Pact on Migration and Asylum. It sets out a new approach to migration and asylum management in the EU, with a stronger focus on border procedures, improving cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, successful integration of refugees and return of those with no right to stay.

Background:

The latest migration quarterly bulletin covers the period between 1 July and 30 September 2020. FRA has been regularly collecting data on migration since September 2015.

Access previous migration quarterly reports >>

EU delegation to meet President Museveni over environmental conservation

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Newsdesk
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EU delegation to meet President Museveni over environmental conservation
Head of the EU delegation Ambassador Attilio Pacifici.

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The European Union (EU) delegation in Uganda will today meet President Yoweri Museveni to discuss conservation of natural resources.

Eight EU Ambassadors have for the past four days been in Western and Northern Uganda to assess and discuss environmental conservation in the country. Top on the agenda was the controversial cultivation of sugarcane in Bugoma central forest reserve by Hoima Sugar Limited, depletion of Zoka central forest reserve by illegal lumbers and charcoal burning and others.

The other area of interest was the proposed construction of a 360 MW hydropower dam on Murchison Falls among others.

Addressing journalists in Gulu city on Thursday, Ambassador Attilio said that the country needs to strike the right balance between development or the necessity to develop with the much-needed conservation of its treasures.

According to Attilio, there should always be dialogue and clear decisions regarding the conservation of the environment.

Dr Roswitha Kremser, the Head of Austria office in Uganda said that there should be options and alternatives to the destruction of natural resources.

Speaking about the cultivation of sugarcane in Bugoma forest, Kremser questioned whether sugarcane growing can take place in a forest or whether there are no alternative sites that can be found. She demanded that natural resources should not be destructed at the expense of development.

Per Lindgarde, the Ambassador of Sweden said that protecting and restoring forests is very important since it attracts tourists and other benefits.

He noted that environment and climate change were key for Sweden and the European Union, which explains why they support natural resource management.

The Ambassador of Italy, Massimiliano Mazzanti said that investment activities in Bugoma forest do not make any sense to them as the European Union.

“There is enough production of sugar in this country. We understand of course the impact of such an investment in terms of short-term jobs but killing the forest to produce sugar, it is suicide in long term perspective to the economy for the whole region,” Mazzanti noted.

He equally said that building a dam on Murchison Falls also does not make sense since there is already enough production of electricity in the country.

Jules-Armand Aniambossou the Ambassador of France, said that Uganda could become the worst example if it doesn’t take conservation seriously.

Besides environment conservation, the EU Press and Information Officer Emmanuel Gyezaho says that the meeting between the President and the Ambassadors is in line with Article 8 Cotonou Partnership Agreement Political Dialogue regularly held between the EU and Government of Uganda.

The last meeting between the EU delegation and the President was on 15th November 2019. They discussed topics ranging from business and investment climate, human rights and democracy including electoral reforms, freedom of assembly and expression as well as National dialogue.

URN

EU calls on Israel to stop demolition of Palestinian homes

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Newsdesk
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EU calls on Israel to stop demolition of Palestinian homes

The European Union (EU) on Thursday called on Israel to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories.

EU Spokesperson Peter Santo announced in a statement: “This week, Israeli forces demolished more than 70 structures, including residential, livelihood and sanitation facilities, belonging to 11 Palestinian families with 41 children in Khirbet Hamsa Al-Foqa, in the northern Jordan Valley.”

“This large-scale demolition confirms once again the regrettable trend of confiscations and demolitions since the beginning of the year,” he added.

“This comes on top of the threat of demolition of the Palestinian school in the Ras Al-Teen community in the central West Bank, which has been co-funded by the EU and several EU Member States,” added Santo.

The EU official indicated: “There are currently 52 Palestinian schools under threat of demolition.”

Santo asserted: “As reiterated in previous EU Council Conclusions, the EU calls for the protection of children, including ensuring their right to education in a safe and secure school environment. Education is a basic human right that should be protected and maintained.”

READ: France condemns Erdogan over ‘violence’, threatens sanctions on Turkey

He continued: “Such developments constitute an impediment towards the two-state solution.”

“The EU reiterates its call on Israel to halt all such demolitions, including of EU-funded structures, in particular in light of the humanitarian impact of the current coronavirus pandemic,” concluded the EU spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the United Nations announced on Thursday: “So far in 2020, 689 structures have been demolished across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”

Yvonne Helle, acting humanitarian coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that these demolitions resulted in the displacement of 869 Palestinians who lost their homes.

Helle pointed out that the number of razed buildings since the beginning of the year until today is: “More than in any full year since 2016.”

READ: Austria calls for European front in ‘war on Islamism’

Scientologists@Home: An Illustrator, a Manga Artist and a Musician Use Their Time at Home to Improve Their Craft

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Scientologists@Home: An Illustrator, a Manga Artist and a Musician Use Their Time at Home to Improve Their Craft


Scientologists@Home: An Illustrator, a Manga Artist and a Musician Use Their Time at Home to Improve Their Craft – Religion News Today – EIN Presswire

























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