Hungarian Tisza MEP urges better cancer care and prevention in EU Parliament

András Kulja, an MEP of Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party, has urged improved oncology services, especially in the treatment of children, in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference marking World Cancer Day, Kulja said Hungary had the highest number of cancer cases per capita among OECD countries and urged efficient screening, as well as public campaigns to raise health awareness and to educate people on how to recognise early symptoms.

According to a statement by Tisza’s EP group, Kulja slammed the government for “having no real health strategy”, noting that participation in breast, colon, and cervical cancer screening programmes have decreased since 2010. He added it was indispensable to ensure protection for health professionals, improve their working conditions and provide “fair” salaries. Kulja also warned that Hungarians ate less fruit and vegetables than recommended, and blamed a bad economic situation, as well as “Europe’s record-breaking food price inflation and 27 percent VAT” in Hungary.

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