Abu Meri calls on Baltic health ministers to work together to strengthen medical emergency system

RIGA - Latvian Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) calls on Baltic health ministers to work together to strengthen the medical emergency system.

As the health Ministry informed LETA, Abu Meri and his Baltic counterparts - Estonian Health Minister Riina Sikkut and Lithuanian Health Minister Arunas Dulkys - discussed health policy trends in the Baltics on November 30 in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU Council of Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs.

In the light of the geopolitical situation in the region, the ministers also discussed health sector emergency preparedness, budget planning, reorganization of hospital networks and primary care.

Abu Meri also called on his counterparts to cooperate more closely in the field of oncology. Highlighting the positive experience gained so far at the Baltic level, the minister expressed his conviction that closer cooperation in oncology should be developed between the countries.

"The rising incidence of cancer is a global challenge. Cancer seems to be immune to the rapid development of medical science and technology, so I think it is time for Europe to show political will and become a world leader in the fight against cancer. We in the Baltics must also join efforts and will to save lives. Quality and multifunctional care for cancer patients to raise the quality of life and access to effective medicines are important," said the health minister.

Abu Meri also confirmed to his colleagues Latvia's active participation in the EU4Health Joint Action programs, taking on the role of European coordinating country in the EUCanScreen screening activity and actively participating in the establishment of the European Network of Cancer Centers. The Nordic-Baltic Cancer Centers Network, in which Abu Meri called on all Baltic countries to actively participate, will be strengthened in the framework of this activity.