Jesús Ángel Garrido Martínez, Director General for Funds and Relations with the European Union of the Government of La Rioja, participated in the debate on the opinion “An EU cardiovascular health plan: the Safe Hearts Plan” at the European Committee of the Regions. During the discussion, he highlighted the role of regions in delivering effective healthcare policies and showcased La Rioja’s efforts to strengthen cardiovascular care through targeted investments in health infrastructure and specialised services.
“La Rioja supports the European ‘Healthy Hearts’ Plan and reinforces its commitment to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with the launch of a new Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit at San Pedro University Hospital, representing an investment of €1.4 million,” said Garrido. The new unit strengthens the region’s capacity to provide specialised cardiovascular care and demonstrates how local and regional authorities can contribute to improving health outcomes and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare services.
The Safe Hearts Plan was unveiled by the European Commission as part of a broader health package and represents the first-ever EU-wide approach to tackling cardiovascular disease, Europe’s leading cause of death. As a key pillar of the European Health Union, the initiative seeks to address the main challenges related to cardiovascular diseases across Europe, with particular attention to vulnerable groups, including children, young people and women. The Plan supports health promotion and prevention, early detection and screening, as well as the treatment, care and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases, helping to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across the European Union.