News of the MEP Group
MEP Group for Kidney Health event on Improving Prevention & Health literacy
MEP Group for Kidney Health
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.
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
Brando Benifei (Italy, S&D)
Kidney Health is a key issue for EU citizens nowadays. We must stand for a quality healthcare in order to provide equality and inclusion for everyone. This is why I am excited to be part of the Group.
Martin Buschmann (Germany, GUE/NGL)
The reason I have joined the Group is the fact that I am dependent on dialysis since April this year. It is not easy to handle this handicap with the work in the Parliament. But it is possible and I am very happy to have lovely staff members who always support me.
Olivier Chastel (Belgium, Renew)
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Petra De Sutter (Belgium, Greens/EFA)
The EU can play a vital role in fighting chronic and non-communicable diseases such as kidney diseases, by assisting member states in increasing prevention measures, tackling health inequalities and promoting accessible and affordable care for all.
Cindy Franssen (Belgium, EPP)
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Theresa Griffin (United Kingdom, S&D)
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Rasa Juknevičienė (Lithuania, EPP)
Peter Liese (Germany, EPP)
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Marian-Jean Marinescu (Romania, EPP)
All European citizens have the right to a healthy life, without any discrimination regarding access to best medical expertise, best treatment and the newest medical innovations. The European Parliament has to be the guardian of equal and quality medical care for all those in need.
Rory Palmer (United Kingdom, S&D)
Aldo Patriciello (Italy, EPP)
Kidneys are vital to your overall health, so it's important to look after them. I’m a member of the MEP Group for Kidney Health to involve all the policy makers to develop and implement policies to ensure integration and synergies for kidney disease prevention and treatment within existing initiatives.
Jutta Paulus (Germany, Greens/EFA)
I am a member of the MEP Group for Kidney Health, because I am a pharmacist, affected by the matter myself, through which I know how important that topic is. I am a member, because many medical practitioners are badly informed, especially when it comes to side effects on kidneys by widely distributed drugs.
Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland, EPP)
We all should pay better attention and value higher the importance of the kidney function for our health and well-being. The importance of kidney health has to be reflected better also on EU policies. I wanted to join the Group to support this purpose for kidney health, patient’s rights and improve organ donation and transplantation in the EU.
Manuel Pizzaro (Portugal, S&D)
Christel Schaldemose (Denmark, S&D)
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Annie Schreijer-Pierik (Netherlands, EPP)
When it comes to improving lifestyle, the healthiest choice must also be the easiest one. High salt intakes among children can lead to early kidney disease. In order to protect children, adults and CKD patients, food products must be urgently reformulated.
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.