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#COVID-19 - EU institutions take action to procure life-saving medical equipment

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  • EU to buy medical equipment for hospitals totalling €50 million
  • Tests, masks and respiratory ventilators will be jointly procured
  • More than 1,800 EU citizens repatriated to date
With the global spread of novel coronavirus, the automatic production line of disposable medical masks makes masks continuously 24 hours to prepare for the epidemic. ©InkheartX/Adobe StockEU institutions take action to buy life-saving medical equipment, including masks for hospital staff ©InkheartX/Adobe Stock 

Parliament is working with member states to ensure that the EU can buy ventilators, masks and other medical equipment to be put at the disposal of hospitals across the EU.

Last week, the Commission set up a scheme to gather medical equipment (through rescEU) so that the necessary supplies to combat COVID-19 can quickly get to member states facing shortages of equipment. This equipment is needed to treat infected patients, protect health care workers and help slow down the spread of the virus.

Parliament is working with member states to swiftly approve 40 out of 50 million EUR for intensive care medical equipment such as ventilators and personal protective equipment, such as reusable masks.

Member states are also joining forces under the Joint Procurement Agreement to buy personal protective equipment, respiratory ventilators and items necessary for coronavirus testing. Working together in this way will give them a stronger position on the world market.

Commenting on the Commission’s proposal, Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee Chairman Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR) said:

“Last week, Europe took several historic decisions to counter COVID-19, including its impact on the EU economy. We do not say this enough and we do not say it loud enough. Europe is doing everything it can to save lives. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has previously saved EU citizens in the midst of earthquakes, hurricanes and floods and fighting forest fires. We are now, for the very first time, using EU funds under rescEU to support member states efforts to combat the virus by ensuring we have much needed medical and protective equipment. It is EU solidarity in action.

“The current crisis also shows that having sufficient means to match the needs of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism programme post-2020 is important, as per Parliament’s position,” concluded Canfin.

Background

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RescEU is part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which strengthens cooperation between EU countries in the field of civil protection. Since rescEU was created in 2019, the EU can directly assist member states hit by disasters when national capacities are overstretched.

Thanks to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, more than 1.800 citizens have been repatriated from all over the world following the outbreak of COVID-19. Click here to find out about your member state.

Further information
EU response to coronavirus

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