An aging population and population growth are putting pressure on healthcare. To prevent worse, things must fundamentally change. We must ensure that people get and stay healthier. The current healthcare system is just not designed for that. How to proceed? In this blog, business developer Anneke van Hoorn talks about the opportunities and bottlenecks for a future-proof healthcare system.
As a medical technology business developer, I operate in an environment that is as challenging as it is exciting. My mission is to support northern SMEs and startups in the sector in their growth and development. For example, in their search for new business opportunities, funding or a suitable location. Or exploring new markets and making connections with potential cooperation partners and other stakeholders in medical technology and related sectors.
So at the core, I focus on helping to strengthen the sector in the Northern Netherlands. Or more precisely: on making the sector even stronger. Because the Northern Netherlands, with the UMCG as an important driver, has developed into a powerful and innovative region in the field of life science and medical technology.
Broad and valuable ecosystem
Over the years, a broad and valuable ecosystem has emerged for the development and application of technological healthcare innovations. This is reflected in the various networks in which companies, governments, healthcare institutions and knowledge institutes find, complement and strengthen each other. They lead to synergies and create a favorable climate for innovation. For example, collaborations between the UMCG and the RUG have already produced several promising startups.
The MedTech sector in the Northern Netherlands continues to grow rapidly unabated. This is nice and important, because the need for innovative solutions is great. Very big even. After all, healthcare is under a lot of pressure. An aging and growing population means more and more patients. And while the demand for care is increasing, the shortage of personnel in the healthcare sector is steadily rising. And yes, that results in rising healthcare costs, long waiting times and, not infrequently, reduced quality of care. The need is high and, if nothing changes, will only get higher.
Health, lifestyle and prevention
The current healthcare system, in other words, is no longer sustainable. To turn the tide, a fundamental shift in thinking and action is needed: a transformation from illness and care, to health and behavior. In other words, to keep the healthcare system affordable, humane and accessible, we need to ensure that people get and stay healthier. And so we must invest in a system where health, lifestyle and prevention are leading.
On the way to a future-proof healthcare system, the use of medical technology is indispensable. Technology can accelerate the transition with innovative solutions that, on the one hand, keep people healthier and, on the other, relieve the burden on healthcare personnel. Think robotics or wearable devices and apps that help people manage their health by providing real-time data and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Of course, such solutions already exist and will only get more ingenious and better.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning also obviously play a significant role in the care of the future. For example, by identifying and predicting patterns and risk factors, healthcare providers can recognize potential health problems early and make quicker diagnoses, reducing the need for hospitalizations.
Northern Netherlands as a pioneer
The northern MedTech sector has everything it needs to play a pioneering role. Not without reason do we already have a working ecosystem to accelerate the transition from care to health and to promote the innovative power of the region. Think of the Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands (HANN) that is committed to more healthy years for all inhabitants of the Northern Netherlands. Or Health Noord, a cluster of nine Public Private Partnerships that supports technology and care companies in implementing social and technological innovations.
Another network that focuses on prevention and healthy aging is Hi!Noord, a learning ecosystem that ensures, among other things, that new initiatives can build on knowledge already gathered from previous initiatives. At the same time, Hi!Noord connects knowledge and expertise to help already advanced health initiatives move forward.
NOM as a connector (and more)
Naturally, NOM is closely involved in several networks and initiatives. We do this primarily to ensure that relevant parties know where to find each other and that the lines between the various ecosystems are and remain short. Logically, we also engage with individual companies where and when necessary. What is your current need? What are you up against and how can we as a regional development company be of service?
Yet, simple is by no means the shift from care to health. Not least because our healthcare system focuses almost exclusively on treatment for illness and care. A doctor gets paid for treatment and health insurance covers the cost of care and medication. For SMEs and startups, it is almost impossible to make a healthy profitable business case for products and services around health prevention. This starts with funding. Investors fund to eventually share in the profits. Only: profits usually aren't there.
Healthcare Prevention Roundtable
What can we do to change that? Well, find a clear answer to that. For NOM, this was a major reason to organize a Round Table on Prevention in Healthcare at the end of last year. The objective was to exchange ideas with professionals from different disciplines and domains about solutions to successfully shape the necessary transition.
It was clear to everyone: the only way to keep healthcare affordable and accessible is to ensure that fewer people have to rely on it. With solutions that help people live healthier lives, so that they have fewer health problems. But then the (auxiliary) resources for that must be available. And yes, that means we need to think differently about revenue models and funding to really utilize the potential of medical technologies. Not only looking at financial profits, but also at social benefits.
I hope and expect that there will be a turnaround and we will find a way to create a desirable revenue model around prevention. How and what? I wish I knew. What I do know is that there is an important role for government. For example, by encouraging healthy lifestyles and aligning laws and regulations with a new healthcare system, with more attention to preventing disease and health problems. At the same time, we in the Northern Netherlands must continue to develop our own ecosystem to optimally support parties towards the transition from idea to socially impactful innovation.
NOM Prevention Challenge
However urgent, the problems and bottlenecks will not be solved overnight. But as NOM we would like to set something in motion with extra attention and support. That is why we recently challenged ideas and initiatives to participate in the NOM Prevention Challenge. Several interesting plans have since been submitted and are being evaluated by a group of content experts.
The winner will receive a sum of 10,000 euros, to be spent on marketing and guidance from NOM to further develop the plan. The winner will also be put in touch with relevant parties and we will look at possibilities to make the idea fundable. Although the application deadline for the Prevention Challenge has now passed, we continue to support promising initiatives. We want to think along and connect you with the right partners. Simply because, as mentioned, the transition from care to health is desperately needed. Moreover, we can lead the way in the North. Let's seize those opportunities together!