Public health: prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases, Community action programme 1996-2000

The European Parliament approved this proposal for a decision with the following amendments: - the programme should be implemented in partnership with the competent authorities of the Member States, including regional health and education services, health professionals and, in particular, patients' organisations (Parliament stressed that cooperation with NGOs working on behalf of people with AIDS should be strengthened); - in the context of consistency with the other Community initiatives, this programme should complement, in particular, the Community research programmes (e.g. biomedicine and health programme); - with regard to the specific actions to be implemented (annex): Parliament proposed adding a series of actions including, in particular: . studies on AIDS in cooperation with the Member States, the competent NGOs, the WHO, UNESCO and the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (Parliament called for greater financial support for this Centre). There should be coordination between the national epidemiological monitoring centres with a view to the creation of a Community network of European epidemiologists; . the collection and analysis of information concerning the target groups particularly affected and high-risk practices (drug addiction, prostitution, homosexuality, heterosexuality, the military, tourism, women, etc.) but also the general public, which had little information on the subject; . promoting information for young people and children on the modes of transmission of AIDS (schools, sports centres, disadvantaged areas) through the exchange of educational material; . promoting the use of condoms and their correct use, and voluntary screening; . ensuring the safety of blood products; . support for the publication of manuals or directories containing information on AIDS and the NGOs offering assistance and support for those with the disease; . support for the NGOs working to help children with AIDS and the fight against all forms of discrimination; . cooperation with organisations in third countries, the CEECs, etc., and development of joint actions to prevent AIDS; . creation of a warning system at Community level in case of epidemic outbreaks or the appearance of new diseases; - with regard to the budget, the EP called for transparency in the procedures for granting financial aid and called on the Commission to submit progress reports on the development of the programme and ensure that these were distributed to the NGOs involved in the programme; - with regard to comitology, Parliament pointed out that the decisions taken within the committee should comply with the interinstitutional "modus vivendi" of 20 January 1995. �