Health~Holland Masterclass | Bridging Health Gaps

How can Dutch Life Sciences and Health (LSH) organizations contribute to closing global health gaps—while building sustainable business in emerging markets? Join us for an online session diving into South Africa’s healthcare landscape, offering insights on government strategy, market access, and public-private collaboration.

Date: July 2, 2025
Time: 15:00–16:30 (CET)
Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)
Target audience: Dutch LSH organizations interested or active in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a focus on South Africa
Organized by: Health~Holland, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa, LSH entrepreneur

Why attend

In South Africa, health challenges remain significant: over 80% of the population relies on an under-resourced public healthcare system, while the country spends nearly 9% of its GDP on healthcare. With a quadruple burden of disease, an ageing population, and a shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in rural areas, there is growing demand for innovative, scalable, and digital solutions.

Key trends such as telemedicine, AI and robotics, electronic health records, and primary care infrastructure are shaping the market. Virtual consultations are becoming the standard, especially in the private sector. Telehealth is essential to address workforce shortages, improve access to care, and coordinate treatment of chronic diseases. While high-tech solutions like surgical robotics are mostly deployed in top-tier private hospitals, there is increasing public interest in cost-effective technologies that improve rural access and efficiency.

South Africa also presents itself as a testbed for health technology innovation, offering a relatively flexible regulatory environment and a government committed to achieving universal health coverage via National Health Insurance (NHI). Collaboration opportunities exist in both the public and private sectors from digitizing care pathways to supplying alternative sustainable infrastructure in clinics.

This session brings together government actors, market experts, and companies to explore how to engage effectively with South Africa’s dual healthcare system and how Dutch organizations can play a key role in advancing equitable and tech-driven care.

What to expect?

South Africa presents unique opportunities for Dutch LSH stakeholders. With its dual public-private healthcare system, strong private hospital groups, and an openness to digital innovation, the country is a strategic gateway to national and regional growth.

This session will help you understand:

How to approach market entry in South Africa, including navigating regulatory frameworks and identifying potential partners

How public-private collaboration works in South Africa and how Dutch organizations can position themselves in that space

Concept program

Welcome & introduction

Healthcare market landscape – The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa

Business case presentation – Dutch entrepreneur with local operations

Discussion & feedback – Market barriers, needs, and collaboration opportunities

Wrap-up & next steps

Participation

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Attending this Health~Holland Knowledge Session is free of charge. If you are unavailable to attend the event, please unregister at least a day ahead of the event.

Register

Interested in joining? Sign up now via the registration form below and be part of the conversation shaping the future of Dutch-African health collaboration.