Brussels – Outgoing Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek stated today after a meeting in Brussels that the forthcoming European cardiovascular plan should prioritize prevention and adopt a more medical approach rather than a political one. While the plan aimed at improving cardiovascular health in the EU has yet to be released, Válek expressed concerns that it might not be progressing in the right direction. The Czech National Cardiovascular Plan, approved last December, focuses on prevention, early detection, and effective treatment. Válek proposed that Czech experts could assist in developing the European plan during the meeting.
“The Czech Republic was among the first nations to implement a comprehensive cardiovascular plan, meticulously designed, and I believe many other European countries are now following our lead,” Válek remarked. He noted that the original intention for the European cardiovascular plan was to mirror this model, but informal reports have led to worries that it may lean towards a more political stance rather than a medical one.
“The plan must prioritize prevention. It should also address kidney diseases and incorporate metrics for patient monitoring as part of preventive initiatives, which we will begin tracking in the Czech Republic from January,” the minister asserted, adding that this view was supported by a majority of countries at the meeting, regardless of size. The notion that Czechia could contribute its expertise to Brussels was positively received, according to European Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi. (2 December)
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