Press release 13 February 2020
For immediate release
At the beginning of 2021, the Finnish Student Health Service FSHS will expand to include students at universities of applied sciences (UAS). Details of the upcoming service network have now been published. The service network shows where FSHS services will be offered in future.
Key criteria for the service network have been access to services and regional equality. In 2021, FSHS services will be offered in more than 50 locations. Currently the FSHS provides its services in 18 locations. This increase is a considerable investment into the health and well-being of students in higher education.
“The planning of the service network has put a great deal of focus on the needs of different regions and equality between students. The FSHS has unique expertise in treating and preventing the health problems that particularly affect students, and of the health promotion work carried out with educational establishments. For that reason, it is wonderful that UAS students will finally get access to FSHS services,” says President Anna Laurila from SAMOK, the national union for UAS students.
Students at universities of applied sciences will get access to FSHS services from the beginning of 2021. A larger number of users will bring about increased opportunities to offer more comprehensive and higher-quality healthcare services tailored to the needs of students.
“It is important that all students in higher education easily have access to the high-quality care and services they need. Online healthcare services such as online doctor consultations will support and complement local services. Students in higher education will continue to be involved in developing the FSHS according to students’ needs,” says President Tapio Hautamäki from SYL, the national union for university students.
The Act on healthcare for students in higher education will take effect on 1 January 2021. See the FSHS website for a full description of the service network (https://www.yths.fi/en/fshs/fshs-2021/).
For more information, contact:
Hannele Kirveskoski, Welfare Policy Adviser, The Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK, +358 50 389 1015, hannele.kirveskoski@samok.fi
Touko Niinimäki, Social Policy Adviser, The National Union of University Students in Finland SYL, +358 40 667 4191, touko.niinimaki@syl.fi
