From 21 to 25 September 2026, Task Force Health Care welcomed an international delegation to the Netherlands for the Health Holland Visitors Programme. The programme introduced participants to the Dutch Life Sciences & Health ecosystem and created opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore innovative approaches and build new international connections.
The week was designed as a journey through the Dutch healthcare and innovation landscape: from an introduction to the national LSH ecosystem, to academic healthcare and clinical innovation, international exchange, industry, and entrepreneurship. Rotterdam served as the delegation’s base throughout the programme.
Under the theme Connected Health in Turbulent Times: Innovating Resilient Systems Together, participants explored how collaboration between government, healthcare, research and industry can contribute to more resilient and future-ready healthcare systems.
Main Activities
Exploring the Dutch Life Sciences & Health ecosystem
Following a welcome reception in Rotterdam, the substantive programme began at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in The Hague with an introduction to the Dutch Life Sciences & Health ecosystem.
Contributions from Task Force Health Care, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and Health Holland placed the visits that followed in the broader context of the Dutch healthcare and innovation landscape.
The programme then continued at Health Campus The Hague, where participants explored the regional health innovation ecosystem, Population Health Management and the transition from innovation to implementation through the example of Welzijn.AI.
Later that day, the delegation travelled to Leiden University Medical Center. After an introduction to LUMC and the Leiden Bio Science Park ecosystem, participants joined two innovation showcases. NeLL / WeLL demonstrated how digital health innovations are evaluated, validated and implemented in clinical practice, while a second session focused on applications of AI in radiology and radiotherapy.
Together, these visits showed how healthcare, research, education, policy and industry are connected within the Dutch innovation ecosystem.
From clinical innovation to international exchange in Rotterdam
The following morning, participants visited Erasmus MC. The programme combined an introduction to Erasmus MC with contributions from the Municipality of Rotterdam and Rotterdam Square, providing insight into the wider Rotterdam Life Sciences & Health ecosystem.
Participants then joined two breakout visits from three options: Create4Care, the Innovation Lab and the Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC). These sessions highlighted different stages of healthcare innovation, from developing solutions to evaluating and applying them within clinical practice.
From Erasmus MC, the delegation continued to World of Health Care 2026.
World of Health Care 2026
International participants under the theme Connected Health in Turbulent Times: Innovating Resilient Systems Together. HVP 2026 Final Programme Extern…
The afternoon combined matchmaking, an expo, plenary moments, thematic sessions and regional discussions. Three themes were central to the programme:
- Health System Strengthening
- AI & Digitalisation
- MedTech & Innovation in Practice
The programme also addressed international expansion, support for international growth and Building Evidence Across Borders, alongside regional sessions focused on Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Across these sessions and conversations, participants examined not only individual innovations, but also the partnerships, evidence, implementation approaches and international cooperation needed to translate innovation into lasting healthcare impact.
The networking reception and walking dinner created further opportunities for delegates and Dutch organisations to continue conversations and explore potential areas for collaboration.
Innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Brainport Eindhoven
The final substantive day of the programme moved from healthcare innovation towards industry and entrepreneurship.
Philips: technology and application
At Philips in Best, participants explored the role of technology in healthcare through a plenary introduction and two practical programme elements: the Discovery Space Journey: AI in Healthcare and a visit to the MRI Factory.
The sessions provided insight into applications of AI across healthcare technologies and clinical settings, as well as the technology and manufacturing behind MRI systems. HVP 2026 Final Programme Extern…
Brainport Eindhoven: from ecosystem to entrepreneurship
In the afternoon, the programme continued in the Brainport Eindhoven region, focusing on the connections between technology, research, industry and entrepreneurship.
Contributions from High Tech Campus Eindhoven, BOM, Brainport Development and TU/e Health & e/MTIC introduced participants to the regional innovation ecosystem and the way public and private organisations work together. HVP 2026 Final Programme Extern…
At Signify, delegates learned more about connected lighting technologies and their potential applications in healthcare environments, followed by a tour of the Signify Experience Lab. HVP 2026 Final Programme Extern…
The programme then moved to HighTechXL, where participants were introduced to venture building and high-tech entrepreneurship. Pitches from Luba Labs, Zermicore, Bambi Medical, Sonic Precision and Vitalwear demonstrated how emerging companies are working to turn advanced technologies into scalable solutions. HVP 2026 Final Programme Extern…
A networking reception with regional healthcare innovators concluded the programme’s substantive activities.
Key themes
- International collaboration remains essential: Healthcare challenges increasingly cross borders. Bringing healthcare leaders together with Dutch organisations creates opportunities to exchange knowledge, compare approaches and identify areas where collaboration can add value.
- Strong ecosystems help innovation move forward: Across the different regions visited during the programme, delegates saw how cooperation between government, healthcare, research and industry can create an environment in which healthcare innovations can be developed, tested and implemented.
- Innovation needs connection: Technology alone does not create healthcare impact. The conversations throughout the week reinforced the importance of connecting innovators with healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers and international partners.
- Personal exchange creates a foundation for future partnerships: Site visits, discussions and networking offered delegates and Dutch organisations the opportunity to understand each other’s priorities and expertise. These connections form an important basis for continued cooperation beyond the programme itself.
AI & digitalisation
AI and digitalisation were recurring themes throughout the week. At LUMC, participants explored the evaluation and implementation of digital health innovations and applications of AI in radiology and radiotherapy. At Philips, the focus shifted to the application of AI across healthcare technologies and clinical settings.
Across these visits, the discussions went beyond technological possibilities. A central question was how digital and AI-enabled solutions can be evaluated, implemented and embedded effectively within real healthcare environments.
MedTech and innovation in practice
The programme followed healthcare innovation through different stages of development and implementation.
At Erasmus MC, participants saw how innovations can emerge within a clinical environment and how ethical review forms part of their introduction into practice. Philips offered an industry perspective on healthcare technology and manufacturing, while Brainport Eindhoven demonstrated how research, established companies and emerging ventures contribute to the development of new solutions.
Together, these visits illustrated that successful MedTech innovation depends on more than technology alone. Clinical relevance, evidence, implementation and collaboration all play an important role.
Health systems strengthening
Another recurring theme was the importance of looking beyond individual solutions.
Population Health Management at Health Campus The Hague, the national LSH ecosystem discussions and the international exchanges at World of Health Care all highlighted the need to consider healthcare innovation within the broader systems in which it must operate.
Strengthening healthcare systems requires cooperation between public and private stakeholders, healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers and innovators.
Key takeaways
International collaboration remains essential.
Healthcare systems differ, but many of the challenges they face are shared. Bringing international healthcare leaders together with Dutch organisations creates opportunities to compare approaches, exchange knowledge and identify areas where cooperation can add value.
Strong ecosystems help innovation move forward.
Across The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Best and Eindhoven, participants saw different examples of collaboration between government, healthcare, knowledge institutions and industry. These connections help create environments in which innovations can be developed, evaluated, implemented and scaled.
Implementation matters as much as innovation.
The programme repeatedly connected technological development with the realities of healthcare practice. From Welzijn.AI and NeLL / WeLL to the clinical innovation environment at Erasmus MC, the week demonstrated the importance of evidence, evaluation and implementation.
Innovation needs connection.
Technology alone does not create healthcare impact. Innovators need to be connected with healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, industry partners and international markets.
Entrepreneurship is part of the ecosystem.
The final day in Brainport Eindhoven showed how established companies, research institutions, regional organisations and start-ups all contribute to translating knowledge and technology into practical solutions.
What’s next
The Health Holland Visitors Programme is not only about introducing international healthcare leaders to the Netherlands. Its longer-term value lies in the relationships and opportunities for cooperation that can continue after the programme itself.
Task Force Health Care will continue to connect international healthcare needs with Dutch expertise, support follow-up between delegates and Dutch organisations, and create opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration across markets.
We thank all delegates, speakers, hosts and partners who contributed to a week of international exchange, learning and connection.
What participants took away
Participant feedback centred on four themes: strong healthcare ecosystems, implementation, international knowledge exchange and new connections.
Delegates highlighted the value of collaboration between healthcare providers, research institutions, companies, public organisations and innovators, and the importance of turning that collaboration into better healthcare outcomes.
“The international perspective and collective wisdom of the delegation is also inspiring in itself.”
– Brian Simmers, Providence Health Care
Participants also stressed that innovation only creates impact when it is connected to clinical practice, professionals, processes, data and policy.
“Technology only creates value when it is properly connected with professionals, processes, data, science and policy.”
– Felix Greving, Fundashon Mariadal
The delegation itself was an important source of learning, with participants exchanging perspectives on shared healthcare challenges across countries. Several also identified opportunities for follow-up, including new partnerships, continued knowledge exchange and applying lessons from the Dutch innovation approach in other healthcare settings.
“I leave the Netherlands with new ideas, new connections and, above all, a lot of energy for the collaborations that may grow out of this week.”
– Caroline de Beukelaar, AZ Groeninge
