BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG ORGANIZES ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS EEDS PROPOSAL
On February 6, MEP Javier Zarzalejos attended the round table on the European Health Data Space (EEDS) proposal organized by the representation of the German State of Baden Württemberg at the European Union in Brussels.
During the meeting, some of the most important aspects of the EEDS were discussed by members of the European Parliament and the Commission, as well as by experts in the field and representatives of the government of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. In particular, the event was attended by Winfried Kretschmann, the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, and Thomas Strobl, the Deputy Minister-President and Minister of the Interior, Digitalization and Local Government of the Land.
The session was opened by Kretschmann and then the moderator Florian Stegmann, Head of the Land Chancellery, welcomed the speakers. The round table was organized around four distinct panels. First, the topic of harmonization of data protection and cybersecurity was discussed.
This was followed by a discussion on the standardization of health data networking, followed by an exchange of views on the secondary use of data in the interest of the common good. Finally, the roundtable addressed the issue regarding the digital skills of healthcare professionals and citizens.
Additionally, the Government of Baden Württemberg presented its position paper on the issue. Javier Zarzalejos, MEP for the PP, stated during his intervention that “it is imperative to improve the use of health data for research, innovation and policy making, ensuring that access is made with guarantees of security and privacy.” Additionally, the MEP emphasized the fact that citizens must be able to control their own health data, both at home and across Union borders.”
“The EEDS can be a major milestone in delivering better healthcare to patients and placing the EU at the global forefront in the use of health data. However, there is a long and difficult road ahead, with many challenges, as there are still complex barriers to extracting the full potential of digital health,” concluded Javier Zarzalejos.