EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/370

(2004/C 84 E/0428)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0353/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(12 February 2004)

Subject: Possibility of funding for a virtual health information project

The European Union's task of ensuring the population a high level of protection in the field of public health, to complement measures carried out by the Member States, was recognised and emphasised by the Commission in its Communication (1) on the health strategy of the European Community, which envisages specific measures to address the health guarantee obligations deriving from the provisions of the Treaty and the implementation of Community policies designed to ensure such protection, including an action programme to support the sectors in which individual Member states cannot take effective action.

In the context of the initiatives devised for these purposes, it might be feasible to include a project for a European information desk which people could contact directly, using the instruments offered by modern technologies: for example, a healthcare network on the Internet and/or an interactive thematic satellite channel providing not only information, but also diagnostic, therapeutic, pharmacological and first-aid advice for users who could access the service and receive answers and advice in real time. Far from replacing healthcare in clinics or hospitals, this initiative could substantially speed up the health service, allowing thousands of patients who cannot go to the doctor in person to obtain immediate advice and ensure that they are accurately informed about prevention and treatment in the event of emergencies, as well as infectious diseases such as HIV, oncology, common diseases, new viruses such as SARS or the re-emergence of diseases such as TB, which were thought to have been eradicated. An initiative of this kind would also be useful in providing the population with an information service on topical subjects such as wellness medicine, homeopathy and alternative medicine.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether a project of this kind can be carried out with funding under the action programme referred to above;

2. whether there are other forms of financial contribution the EU may provide to support a possible initiative of this kind;

3. whether there already is or there will be a budget heading for the health strategy and whether it is to be expanded in future?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2004)

1. The Community public health programme (2) provides support for developing and operating a joint action with the plans drawn up under the eEurope 2002 and 2005 Action plans in order to improve availability to the general public on the Internet of information on health matters, and to consider the possibilities to establish a system for recognisable Community seals of approval for Internet sites. Article 152 paragraph 5 of the Treaty establishing the European Community states that the Community shall fully respect that the delivery of health services and of medical care is the responsibility of Member states. A project offering diagnostic, therapeutic, pharmacological and first-aid advice to users is considered as falling under national competence.

2. The Information Society Technologies priority of the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2002-2006) supports research and development and demonstration projects in the field of information technology and communications in healthcare e.g. professional health care systems, home care services and personal health status monitoring systems. An application for funding of the outlined activity under this programme could be considered. The publication of the next call for proposals in the eHealth area can be expected for late 2004. Further information about the activities on eHealth within the IST-programme and the call for proposals in this context are available on the website of the Commission's Information Society Directorate-general (3).

3. The Community Public Health Programme (2003-2008), which was adopted in 2002, plays the central role in providing financial support and technical expertise for the development of the EU health strategy. Its financial envelope for the period 2003-2008 is EUR 312 million. A new Commission Communication on the Community health strategy including a roadmap for action until 2010 is in preparation.

(1) COM(2000)285.

(2) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008), published in: OJ L 271, 9.10.2002.

(3) http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/all_about/ehealth/index_en.htm