Healthcare institutions, knowledge partners, governments, and technology companies will work together structurally within the Digital Health Ecosystem Northern Netherlands (DHENN) Program and the European Digital Innovation Hub Northern Netherlands (EDIH NN). The collaboration supports the deployment of AI, robotics, and other digital innovations to keep healthcare affordable and sustainable for workers.
“The healthcare sector faces a huge challenge,” says Martin Smit, Director of the UMCG Innovation Center and representative of DHENN. “The demand for care is growing, but the number of professionals is not. Only by using technology smartly can we maintain the quality and affordability of healthcare. For that, we need the business community.”
DHENN represents the ecosystem around digital health, while EDIH NN brings together businesses and technological solutions. Through the collaboration, healthcare institutions gain faster access to relevant technology, while companies get a clearer view of what healthcare truly needs. This delivers tangible benefits.
“We don’t just look at supply or demand, but at the entire market,” explains Robin Brouwer, Program Manager at DHENN. “This creates a direct link between what healthcare needs and what the market can offer.”
Nine out of ten healthcare innovations fail in the pilot phase. By better aligning healthcare demand with business offerings, we increase the chances that innovations will succeed. “That connection is essential.” adds Paul Mulder, Innovation Broker for Life Science & Health at EDIH NN.
“We focus on autonomous applications where AI, robotics, and digitalization come together. Such systems take over routine tasks and support professionals in complex decision-making, while control remains with humans.” emphasizes Leo van der Burg, Business Developer at FME, a consortium partner of EDIH NN.
By establishing common standards, IT Departments need to integrate less, and entrepreneurs can scale their technology more easily. At the same time, healthcare professionals are encouraged to actively share their needs with the business community.
Innovation, according to Van der Burg of FME, develops through close relationships and shared learning, rather than from a distance. By supporting regional collaboration and increasing visibility, this approach is creating strong momentum for progress in the Northern Netherlands.
The initiative brings together knowledge institutions, healthcare providers, and businesses within a unified development process, ensuring focus and continuity. This integrated cooperation not only boosts the likelihood of successful innovations but also delivers tangible benefits to healthcare organizations, entrepreneurs, and most importantly, the patients they serve. Ultimately, these efforts align with a shared vision: building a healthier Northern Netherlands From the UMCG’s perspective, the commitment extends beyond treating patients within the hospital walls, to promoting well-being across the entire region.
See also: website Europees Fonds voor Regionale Ontwikkeling and DHENN website
