Strategic partnerships are essential for accelerating the digital transformation of healthcare in Portugal. These collaborations should involve a range of stakeholders to ensure that the changes are effective, sustainable, and meet the needs of the population.
Key areas for strategic partnerships include:
- Collaboration with Healthcare Institutions: Partnerships with healthcare institutions are vital for the digital transformation of health. This collaboration enables ongoing optimisation and adjustments to digital health solutions to meet specific needs within healthcare settings. This would include hospitals, primary care facilities, and other care providers.
- Articulation with Research Centers, Universities, and Startups: Partnering with research centres, universities, and startups can drive innovation in digital health. These collaborations would bring new ideas, technologies, and approaches to improve healthcare delivery, leading to the development of new tools and services well suited to Portugal's healthcare landscape.
- Community-Based Innovation Labs: Establishing innovation labs in community settings, in partnership with municipalities and inter-municipal communities, will promote the development of locally relevant solutions. These labs can test new technologies and adapt them to the specific needs of each region, taking into account factors such as demography and existing infrastructure.
- Digital Health Portugal: This civic platform aims to implement the National Digital Strategy (EDN), highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure that the strategy's promises become tangible results for citizens. It emphasizes the need for the EDN to be refined and adapted to address the specificities of the health sector, aligning with the principles of the Digital Health Manifesto for Portugal. This includes fostering a more efficient, inclusive, and technologically advanced health system.
- Public and Private Sector Collaboration:?The sources emphasize the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society to ensure the success of the digital transformation. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the digital transition meets the needs of all stakeholders and benefits the common good.
- Alignment with European Initiatives:?Portugal's digital strategy aligns with the European Union's Digital Decade 2030 programme, which includes a focus on digital health. The European Health Data Space (EEDS) is also a key driver for these collaborations. This requires aligning national strategies with European standards to enhance interoperability and cross-border data sharing.
The importance of strategic partnerships is also highlighted in the context of the National Health Plan (PNS 2030). The PNS 2030 acknowledges that the efforts needed to implement the plan require a broad social base extending beyond the health sector, encompassing other social, economic, and environmental sectors.
In conclusion, successful digital transformation in the health sector requires a multifaceted approach, with strategic partnerships being a cornerstone for achieving these goals. These collaborations must include a diverse range of stakeholders, be adaptable to local needs, and must align with broader national and European strategies. By fostering innovation, ensuring inclusivity, and promoting interoperability, these partnerships will help build a more efficient and effective healthcare system in Portugal.
Listen to our Podcast episode on Portugal's National Digital Strategy 2025 here
About the Online Kick-off 2025
The DHP ONLINE Kick-off 2025 successfully brought together key players in digital health to align strategies and set priorities for the year ahead. This vibrant and interactive event served as a platform for startups, established companies, and stakeholders to connect, share insights, and contribute to Portugal's position as a global leader in health innovation.
Highlights of the Event:
- Opening Session:
- Panel Discussion: "From Innovation to Commercialization"
- Interactive Knowledge Café: Participants engaged in small group discussions to explore "Priorities for Digital Health in 2025." This collaborative session fostered brainstorming and generated valuable ideas to guide future initiatives.
- Closing Session:
The event highlighted the power of collaboration and the vital role of the Digital Health Portugal community in shaping the future of healthcare innovation. It set a strong foundation for impactful initiatives in 2025.
We thank all the speakers, moderators, and participants for making the DHP ONLINE Kick-off 2025 a resounding success!
Watch the recording
About Digital Health Portugal
Digital Health Portugal (DHP) is a civic platform dedicated to advancing digital transformation in healthcare. We connect healthcare professionals, policymakers, tech innovators, and researchers to foster collaboration, innovation, and impactful solutions.
Our Mission
- Enable sustainable, inclusive healthcare through digital technologies.
- Advocate for ethical data use and forward-thinking policies.
- Build capacity and educate healthcare professionals for a digital future.
Core Activities
- Collaboration: Bringing stakeholders together for meaningful dialogue and partnerships.
- Advocacy: Shaping policies that foster innovation and protect data privacy.
- Events: Hosting forums like the Health Data Forum Global Hybrid Summit to spotlight healthcare transformation.
- Thought Leadership: Driving the conversation on data ethics, AI, and innovation in healthcare.
DHP is a trusted hub for fostering impactful partnerships, advocating responsible innovation, and shaping a digitally empowered healthcare system. Together, we can revolutionize healthcare and improve lives.
