Some 500 European health decision-makers, including ministers of health and finance, gathered to discuss "sensitive and politically charged health issues" such as equal access to care or transparency of public health spending during the WHO European Ministerial Conference on 25-27 June.
The main outcome of the conference was the adoption of the "Tallinn Charter", which commits European countries to increasing the transparency and accountability of their health spending in order to improve health systems’ performance, allow better assessment of their achievements and ensure that spending is aligned to policy objectives. As part of preparations for the Charter, a number of studies were conducted on the link between the health and wealth of the population. According to the WHO, the studies make a strong "case for giving serious political attention to the performance of health systems".
EPHA urges Member States to duly implement the Charter to ensure transparency and accountability. Since high performing health systems contribute to economic development and wealth, such an initiative goes only toward the right direction.
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