Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, is currently in New York attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly, where she is addressing critical global health challenges, particularly antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her mission is to promote EU initiatives and foster international collaboration to tackle AMR, enhance health security, and address issues like food waste. Throughout the event, she is engaging in discussions on topics such as women's role in policymaking, improving patient care, and preventing drug-resistant infections. This international focus on health solutions mirrors the dedication Kyriakides has shown throughout her career, a commitment that has been deeply personal from the beginning.
Born in Cyprus in 1956, Kyriakides’ passion for health issues was sparked when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, a life-changing event that steered her toward a career in helping others, particularly children. Over the years, this personal connection to health advocacy has shaped her journey, both in Cyprus and across Europe, as she worked tirelessly to improve health services and policies.
Kyriakides studied psychology in the UK and returned to Cyprus, where she worked in public health for almost 30 years, focusing on child psychology and pediatric cancer patients. But her life took another major turn when she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s. This personal battle with cancer opened her eyes to the gaps in patient care and support, which motivated her to act. Kyriakides co-founded Cyprus' first breast cancer awareness group and created Europa Donna Cyprus, a nonprofit that pushed for better cancer care and policies. Her work didn’t stop there—she went on to become the President of the European Breast Cancer Coalition, advocating for cancer patients at the European level.
Her passion for health and patient care naturally led her into politics. She was elected to Cyprus’ parliament in 2006 and served for 13 years, focusing on issues like women’s rights, children’s protection, and health policy. During this time, she helped pass important laws on children’s safety and LGBTQ+ rights, and in 2017, she became President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In 2019, Kyriakides took on the role of European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. One of her biggest tasks was leading Europe’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to secure vaccines for EU countries. She also helped launch Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which aims to reduce cancer cases and improve care for patients. More recently, she’s been focusing on mental health, pushing for more resources and attention to this often-overlooked issue.
Kyriakides has always believed in building partnerships and working together to solve problems. "I’ve always believed in building bridges," she says. "If you stay true to the cause, people will come together to support it."
As she approaches the end of her term as Commissioner in 2024, Kyriakides remains dedicated to improving health systems and making sure everyone in Europe has access to better care. Whether it’s cancer, mental health, or pandemic preparedness, her career has been all about making the world a healthier place for everyone.
[With information from TheLancet.com]
