The Commission has proposed a new and ambitious health program for the period 2021-2027, named EU4Health, which will significantly contribute to the post-COVID-19 recovery by improving the health of EU citizens, increasing the resilience of health systems, and promoting innovation in the healthcare sector. The program will address the gaps highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis and ensure that EU health systems are sufficiently resilient to face new and future health threats. It presents a concrete opportunity for a profound renewal of healthcare, particularly through the optimization of processes via IoT.
The program’s resources will be accessible to member states, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.
EU4Health will operate in synergy with other EU health instruments:
- The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support vulnerable groups in accessing healthcare;
- The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to improve regional healthcare infrastructures;
- Horizon Europe
- RescEU to create emergency medical supply stocks (RescEU will provide rapid assistance for stockpiles in direct response to crises; the EU4Health program will provide strategic medical supplies for long-term use and other strategic reserves);
- The Digital Europe Programme to build the necessary digital infrastructure.
