Stella Kyriakides has served as the EU’s Health Commissioner for the past five years, during which she confronted an unforeseen global pandemic that impacted the lives of millions across Europe.
In Brussels, exit interviews are often particularly insightful, especially with a commissioner responsible for a complex portfolio where decision-making predominantly rests with individual governments.
While Kyriakides did not always assume a central public role during the COVID-19 crisis, her team was tasked with overseeing vaccine procurement in Europe and introducing numerous other significant legislations. These included the EU’s Cancer Master Plan, the extension of smoking bans to outdoor areas, a European action plan for mental health, and the creation of the first EU Health Data Space.
However, the healthcare sector faces additional challenges, such as a rapidly ageing population, strained national healthcare systems, and an industry grappling to remain competitive. Moreover, as the EU’s budget negotiations approach, there is a risk that health may be deprioritised in favour of defence, climate, and migration, which are expected to dominate the political agenda.
Euronews’ health reporter Marta Irraola Irribaren interviewed Kyriakides yesterday.
Today’s Brussels agenda includes a key meeting at the European Parliament and two high-profile visits.
In the final part of the show, we’ll discuss the country where children are the unhappiest—spoiler: it’s located in Northern Europe.
Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.
