Project Updates

Conference on Patients Rights in the EU

LIGA’s lawyer participated on the conference taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania on 28-29 November 2008. The event was organized by the European Patients΄ Forum (EPF), umbrella NGO promoting rights of patients and their needs on the EU level and shielding work of national organizations. The conference was designed specifically for patients organizations from the Eastern and Central Europe, i.e. from the countries having the most problems with respecting patients’ rights in practice. The conference attended representatives of organizations from Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic and Netherlands but also delegation from the Commission and deputy of the European Parliament.

During thematic workshops the participants discussed e.g. how to get involved patient organizations into decision making on the EU level, how to influence health care policies or how to improve awareness of patients. The EPF´s Patients´ Manifesto was introduced to the participants. It is a document designed for the European Parliament and Commision to improve health care in Europe. The Manifesto calls for equal and timely access to medical care, better awareness of patients and strengthening of patients’ voice in the EU and points out to some actual problems.