The sustainability of member states’ health systems, children’s vaccinations and public health issues in light of the large population movements from North African countries were amongst the issues discussed at the Council of EU Health Ministers, in Luxembourg. Cyprus was represented by Health Minister Christos Patsalides. During the Council conclusions’ discussion concerning children’s vaccination, all the Ministers stressed the importance of preventing infectious diseases, and measles in particular.

Patsalides, in his intervention, referred to the high degree of vaccine coverage of the infant population in Cyprus and pointed out that the World Health Organization has also set the fight against measles as a target. The Minister also stressed the importance of information-sharing and intelligence, not only among EU member states, but also with the countries bordering the EU.

The Cypriot Minister pointed out that health spending should be regarded as an investment, while he stressed the importance of investing in prevention of disease and primary health care. He added that European countries should invest in their health systems, by making use of the Structural Funds, and called on the European Commission to make funds available for investments in revising the health system and making use of innovative means.