Lindén, Kyriakides stress need for helping Ukrainian refugees

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides on Friday met with Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén in Helsinki and discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly from the health perspective, and the provision of assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

Kyriakides also visited the Helsinki Reception Centre in Punavuori and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, according to a press release of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

“The unity of our response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, and our support for Ukrainian refugees, brings out the very best of our values. Member States, partner organisations and citizens are welcoming Ukrainian refugees with compassion and generosity. I would like to thank Finland and the Finnish people for welcoming Ukrainian people with open arms,” said Kyriakides during her visit to Helsinki.

“Helping Ukrainians is important and calls for EU-level cooperation. Finland has delivered, for example, medical supplies and ambulances to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We are also prepared to provide material assistance in the future to help Ukrainian patients and refugees in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries,” said Lindén.

The Commissioner and the Minister will also discuss the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer treatment, the EU4Health Programme, the EU’s recovery and digitalisation policy.

“International cooperation, particularly between the European Union and its Member States, has been an essential part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic remains serious, and because of this, it is still necessary to emphasise that getting vaccinated is important to prevent serious cases of COVID-19,” Minister Lindén said.

“Vaccinations and boosters remain our best defence against the virus. I want to thank Minister Lindén for our excellent collaboration in ensuring a coordinated European approach to our response to the pandemic. The spirit of solidarity remains crucial to address the challenges we face,” Kyriakides said.

“No country can cope with health policy challenges on its own. It is therefore excellent that the EU has also identified cancer treatment as one of its key areas for development. Finland is actively involved in that. Finland leads the way in cancer treatment outcomes, but we still have much to do,” said Lindén.