Interview with MEP Kateřina Konečná, GUE/NGL Group Coordinator in the BECA Commitee

Roma, 13 ott. (askanews) – For the fourth episode of its interview series ‘EU Verified’, Askanews was excited to sit down with BECA Group Coordinator MEP Kateřina Konečná. A member of GUE/NGL confederal group, Konečná has closely followed Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan since it was first announced by the Commission in February 2020 and has been actively involved in the ongoing process of amending the BECA Committee’s report on the plan.

The interview covers a wide range of topics including cancer prevention, early detection and diagnosis, treatment and improving patients’ quality of life. MEP Konečná clearly highlights the key priorities for GUE/NGL and explains the current decisions being made internally. She states the need to develop the EU’s pharmaceutical strategy in tandem with the Cancer Plan in order to reduce healthcare inequalities. On the topic of prevention, Konečná highlights the need for a harm reduction approach to key issues such as reducing the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, and discusses the amendments she is bringing forward to the BECA report to try and secure its inclusion in the plan.

‘EU Verified’ offers a platform for in-depth discussions with policymakers involved in drafting and implementing one of the most ambitious policies the EU has ever formulated in the health arena, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Our interviewees have been carefully selected to give a voice to all those involved in the discussions and to ensure the EU ethos is upheld in the form of transparency and openness.
Please find the full text of the interview in English.