On 29th of January we hosted an outstanding meeting held under the auspices of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP), the European Program for Prevention (EPP, www.epprevention.eu), and the KUL, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin! The event was honoured by numerous guests from across Europe who play key roles in shaping healthcare policy, including:
Olivér Várhelyi, European Parliament Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare;
Adam Jarubas, Chair of the EP Committee on Public Health;
Prof. Željko Reiner, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and ILEP SC Member;
Dr. Alexandru Rogobete, Ministry of Health of Romania, and Prof. Dragos Vinereanu – President of the Cardiology Board and Honorary Councillor of the Ministry of Health in Romania;
Ms. Aiga Balode, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health in Latvia;
Mr. Daniel Naumovas, Viceminister, the Ministry of Health of Lithuania;
Prof. Dalius Jatužis, Chairman of National Health Council in Lithuania;
Mgr. Blanka Kavková, Head, Healthcare Department, the Ministry of Health in Czechia;
Prof. Dr. Nebojsa Tasic, Assisstant Minister of Health in Serbia for Public Health;
Dr. Hrvoje Jurin, Authorized Representative of the Ministry of Health in Croatia;
Katarzyna Skrętowska-Szyszko – Director of the Health Unit from the office of the Ombudsman for Children in Poland. Rzecznik Praw Dziecka Monika Horna-Cieślak
…and, together with dozens of leading CVD Experts, we signed an agreement that now unites 46 universities, hospitals, scientific societies, patient organizations, and foundations from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Our shared mission is to strengthen cardiovascular disease prevention across the region and cut CVD incidence and mortality by 25% within the next decade
This landmark initiative – provisionally named the “Central European Prevention Initiative Alliance” (CEPIA) – builds on our earlier efforts within ILEP and the systemic work of the EPP.
Below are the key objectives set out in the Memorandum of Understanding:
Academic collaboration, including exchange of students and academic staff, development of joint curricula and inter university programs (including doctoral programs).
Scientific and research collaboration, including joint research projects and coordinated applications for national, European and other grant funding.
Joint educational and public awareness activities for patients and healthcare professionals concerning lipid disorders, lipoprotein(a), inflammation and residual cardiovascular risk.
Organization of joint scientific events, conferences, workshops, webinars, expert panels and debates.
Provision of expert input and support to the European Commission, European Parliament and other EU bodies (including initiatives such as the EU SafeHeartsPlan) on prevention policy matters.
Provision of expert support to international partners (e.g., World Health Organization (WHO), European Society of Cardiology, World Heart Federation) on prevention of non communicable diseases.
Preparation and dissemination of expert documents, technical briefs and policy recommendations for governments, ministries and other decision making bodies.
Exchange and promotion of effective local, regional and national prevention programs and best practices.
Initiation, development and support of databases and registries related to cardiovascular and related diseases (including rare disease registries) to improve diagnosis, research and patient care.
The CEPI Alliance is an open initiative. If you are interested in joining, we warmly invite you to contact us
My sincere thanks go to everyone involved – especially my Friends at ILEP and EPP. Yesterday’s meeting reaffirmed that, together, we can move mountains With the added support of our new partners, I am confident we will decisively reduce the burden and mortality of cardiovascular disease across the region and throughout Europe
