Covid 19 Crisis in Europe

(available in french only)

The Covid-19 pandemic in Europe: Comparison of health systems and combats against the pandemic in EU's most populated 4 countries

            The purpose of this dossier aims to study the Covid-19 health crisis in Europe and its most populated countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) their health systems and combats against the Covid-19 pandemic. We summarize the general condition of the public health system in Europe faced with covid-19 outbreaks. Although European countries combat the dissemination and prevention of the pandemic with all efforts, the fact indicates that states cut social and health expenditures to balance the budget in the last decade left Europe vulnerable to the battle against the epidemic. This crisis of epidemic reveals health, and the economy, in particular, could not go one without the other. Despite the high elderly population in Europe like in Italy might cause high rates of Covid cases and death, the Covid-19 outbreak shed light on the long-standing disputes in healthcare. As a matter of fact, health system insufficiencies such as the number of hospitals with acute care bed occupancies may have had a vital impact on the European public.

            This review also shows unlike the first wave, the EU decided a joint action against the pandemic on January 21, 2021. The EU’s urgent action with strategic goals in public health and it is vital to control the spread of the virus, accelerate the vaccination process, strengthen national health systems in member countries. This study disclosed that health cuts to focus on budget deficits leave many European countries vulnerable. There should have drawn more structural and protective measures, and even some observe it is urgent to more funding in public health. Increasing the number of beds in hospitals, and delivering medical supplies such as masks, ventilators in emergencies is also crucial. We should take necessary precautions for such viruses that are likely to be in the future.