CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION AGREEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: IMPORTANCE AND REGULATORY MECHANISMS

Kristine Ubilava   [email protected]

 

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the significance and regulatory mechanisms of cross-border cooperation agreements in the field of emergency medical care using the examples of different countries.

The work discusses the legal framework of cross-border healthcare in the European Union, the Framework Agreement on Cross-border Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Medical Care between the Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, Cross-border Emergency Medical Care agreements in the Netherlands-Belgium-Germany border region, the EMR Agreement on Cross-border Neighbourhood Assistance in the Field of Emergency Medical Care between Belgium and Germany (Rhineland-Palatinate), the Agreement on Cross-border Cooperation in the Field of Medical Care between Lithuania and Latvia, and the Agreement on Cross-border Cooperation in the Field of Health Care No. 55964 Framework Agreement between the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Government of the French Republic and the experience of Georgia in the field of cross-border cooperation on emergency medical care.

The study found that despite the clear need for cross-border emergency and urgent care, cooperation in this field is not fully regulated. Differences between national systems, for example in terms of qualifications, medical practices, organizational structure and technical requirements, complicate the provision of cross-border emergency medical care. Common challenges in cross-border emergency medical care include language and socio-cultural barriers, difficulties in the legal and institutional framework, financial issues, lack of recognition of professional skills and standardization of cross-border data exchange, and problems with emergency communication. Despite all these difficulties, there are many advantages, such as improving the patient and social situation, increasing the efficiency of resource use and management, reducing delayed response and inadequate treatment, better quality of service provided, increasing patient satisfaction, creating synergies of shared responsibilities in border regions.

In addition, cross-border cooperation in the field of emergency medical care for Georgia, despite the challenges, has significant prospects. Strengthening cross-border cooperation in the field of healthcare, improving the legal framework and integrating technologies will contribute to the effective development of both the region and the Georgian healthcare system.

Keywords: regulation, cross-border cooperation, emergency medical care, agreement, healthcare.