The MEP Group for Kidney Health is the informal group of Members of the European Parliament committed to improve the policy response to the growing burden of kidney disease in Europe. The MEP Group has been running since 2008, acting as a successful debate forum in topics such as sustainability of healthcare systems and health inequalities.

The principal aim of the MEP Group for Kidney Health is to provide political impetus to  improve policy on prevention, as well as improved access to best-practice care for all EU citizens. EKHA manages the Secretariat of the MEP Group for Kidney Health. MEPs involved in the Group have access –through EKHA’s network of experts– to valuable information relevant to their work on health policy; in exchange, the MEP Group is instrumental to raising awareness on CKD amongst other policy makers and stakeholders.

“More than 85 million Europeans suffer from kidney disease, which is often diagnosed too late, taking a heavy toll on patients’ lives as well as healthcare systems. The MEP Group for Kidney Health brings together Members of the European Parliament committed to improving the policy response to kidney disease and raising awareness of the importance of prevention. I am very happy to chair the Group, because I think we can achieve a lot if we join forces and work at European level. I have seen what struggle it is to cope with kidney disease as my sister-in-law suffers from it. I hope that through the Group, we can help improving the quality of life of all kidney patients.”
MEP Hilde Vautmans, Chair of the MEP Group for Kidney Health
@hildevautmans

Objectives of the MEP Group

The principal aim of the MEP Group for Kidney Health is to provide political impetus to improve policy on prevention, as well as improved access to best-practice care for all EU citizens. By acting as a hub between stakeholders for the exchange of information and dialogue on kidney health, the MEP Group for Kidney Health serves to:– Drive the development and implementation of targeted EU policies on kidney health addressing prevention, early detection, and improved treatment access, particularly of transplantation

– Address specific EU and national policies which have a potential impact on the lives of kidney patients and their carers

– Promote the implementation and harmonisation of organ donation and transplantation policies across the EU

Current Members

Ondřej Knotek (Czechia, Renew), Co-Chair of the MEP Group for Kidney Health

Biljana Borzan (Croatia, S&D)

Brando Benifei (Italy, S&D)

Martin Buschmann (Germany, Non-attached)

Olivier Chastel (Belgium, Renew)

Cindy Franssen (Belgium, EPP)

Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania, EPP)

Peter Liese (Germany, EPP)

Marian-Jean Marinescu (Romania, EPP)

Liudas Mažylis (Lithuania, EPP)

Aldo Patriciello (Italy, EPP)

Jutta Paulus (Germany, Greens/EFA)

Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland, EPP)

Karlo Ressler (Croatia, EPP)

Christel Schaldemose (Denmark, S&D)

Annie Schreijer-Pierik (Netherlands, EPP)

Sara Matthieu (Belgium, Greens/EFA)

Juozas Olekas (Lithuania, S&D)

César Luena (Spain, S&D)

Frances Fitzgerald (Ireland, EPP)

The role of EKHA in the MEP Group for Kidney Health

EKHA manages the Secretariat of the MEP Group for Kidney Health. MEPs involved in the Group have access- through EKHA’s network of experts- to valuable information relevant to their work on health policy; in exchange, the MEP Group is instrumental to raising awareness on CKD amongst other policy makers and stakeholders.