The S&D Group in the European Parliament welcomed the leadership of the EU and Commissioner Stylianides (the EU's special envoy on Ebola) in convening the first global conference to address the long-term consequences of the Ebola epidemic. The Group is convinced that such a global threat can only be tackled with a global approach.
  
Norbert Neuser MEP, S&D Group spokesperson on international development, said:

"We consider it is crucial that the countries affected are able to take ownership of reconstruction and recovery, in order to build their citizens' trust and ensure good regional co-ordination. In order to achieve this, we call for the budget to be focused on strengthening health systems as this is the critical issue for addressing future global health threats.

"We encourage the European Commission to use its humanitarian funding to address the most urgent needs and also to help support healthcare improvements in the affected countries. We also note with satisfaction the European Commission's effective support for urgent Ebola research on potential treatments, vaccines and diagnostic tests.

"It has been proven that this kind of long-term investment costs much less to EU member states than having to mobilise national health resources when global threats occur."  

S&D MEP Linda McAvan, the chair of the Parliament's development committee, added:

"We insist that ensuring the recognition of universal health coverage as part of the sustainable development goals is key to strengthening health systems and avoiding similar epidemics.

"We also call on the EU and its member states to propose that all bilateral and multilateral creditors cancel the existing international debts of Ebola-affected countries in order to tackle the economic crisis that has resulted from the epidemic.

"We should not forget the important role of NGOs who have been at the forefront in the fight against the epidemic and took on responsibilities that are well beyond their mandates.  Financial support should follow such increased responsibilities.

 "The poorest should not have to pay for access to health services. We must work for the end of user fees for healthcare through universal health coverage and tackle health inequalities as a priority."