Health system resilience post-COVID: Moving towards more European cooperation

New Eurohealth issue contributing to discussions during a high-level conference in Paris addresses the resilience of the EU’s health systems

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the General Directorate for Health Care Services (DGOS) of the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health have worked together on a new publication to better understand how health systems have responded to the health crisis and to draw lessons for improving the resilience of health systems.

The document, available both in English and French, contributed to the debates that took place during a high-level conference organized in early 2022, “The resilience of the European Union (EU)’s health systems to promote cooperation on a European scale” , in the context of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.

COVID-19: Unprecedented disruption to our lives and health systems

“We have seen that by working together, across Europe and globally, we can learn from and support each other through this crisis and beyond to help build more resilient health systems,” the editorial reads, signed by Josep Figueras and Katia Julienne who lead the Observatory and the French General Directorate for Health Care Services respectively.

The special issue of Eurohealth explores the themes of resilience, solidarity and European cooperation and how they have shaped and enhanced pandemic responses. These themes are further emphasized in the publication foreword by Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and Olivier Véran, French Minister of Solidarity and Health.

“While at first the Member States responded to the crisis in isolation, the evolution and cross-border impact of the health situation showed that the action and coordination of the European Union and the solidarity that has come with it, has proved essential to address a health threat of this magnitude.”

From resilience and governance to health workers and digital health

Looking ahead to potential future health shocks, the authors draw lessons to help improve preparedness and strengthen health system resilience.

They further explore the critical issue of health democracy and the importance of enhancing participatory governance in health systems by involving citizens whose voices are often left unheard.

To address the service backlogs and waiting lists worsened in many countries due to the pandemic, another Eurohealth article explores solutions such as improving surge capacity or productivity, centralizing coordination, optimizing planning and assessing payment and incentive systems.

The special issue is a constant reminder of the importance of human resources for building resilient health systems.

The publication also explores the increase of digital health tools as enablers of transformation in health systems. While there was previously much unrealised potential in the use of such tools across Europe, the pandemic triggered their immediate necessity for communication, surveillance, health care provision and the rollout of vaccination programmes. European Union funding and initiatives such as the European Health Data Space will support progress in this area.

Finally, among the central topics addressed by this Eurohealth issue, cross-border cooperation also emerged as key during the COVID crisis. Indeed, this type of cooperation and cross-border health care, which existed before the crisis, has been strengthened and developed for the benefit of patients and improved quality of care.