On September 26 the 4th edition of the successful congresstival World of Health Care* (WoHC) took place at the RDM Submarine Wharf in Rotterdam. Around 400 Dutch Life Sciences & Health professionals met with more than 80 high-level delegates from 15+ countries to explore worldwide healthcare developments, challenges and solutions.

The Dutch Minister of Medical Care Bruno Bruins opened the congresstival and set the tone to cooperate network and share knowledge to foster future partnerships. Subsequently, keynotes such as Susanne Baars (Moonshot), Marion Koopmans & Ton van der Steen (Erasmus MC) and Marc Koska (Apilject) presented their smart solutions in healthcare. Visitors felt inspired through dialogue, informal matchmaking, interactive health challenges, panel sessions, and innovative showcases. Private workspots, foodtrucks and the music caravan added to the congrestival ambiance.

Healthcare in the 21st century

Health systems around the world are now facing similar challenges as they grapple with ageing populations and rising incidences of chronic disease. In parallel, decision-makers are under pressure to design health systems which can cope with new and existing health issues, yet, which are both financially sustainable and make use of innovative technologies and powerful drugs. In an age of globalization, the provision of health care and its challenges transcend borders. International collaboration and knowledge exchange is thus a crucial component of tackling current and future health issues in a quest to improve our three WoHC health challenges: The ageing society, the prevention of epidemics and Increasing quality & cost-effectiveness.

Rotterdam | Life Sciences & Health partnership

Before the World of Health Care, the LSH010 Breakfast took place which stimulates innovation and cooperation in the Rotterdam life sciences & health sector. During this breakfast networking session, the City of Rotterdam and Task Force Health Care announced their new partnership.

Valery Hunnik (City of Rotterdam, Head of the Department of Economic Development): ‘’My team of the Economic Development has worked hard the last four years to organize meetings, support innovative projects and connect people. We can see more local LS&H community-feeling and notice new cooperation’s on local and regional levels. To help the city of Rotterdam in the necessary international matchmaking, I’m happy to announce that from now on, we also have a new partnership: The LSH010 community Rotterdam is the first Dutch I’m happy to announce that from now on, we also have a new partnership. The LSH010 community Rotterdam is the first Dutch municipality to become a partner of Task Force Health Care and organizer of the WoHC 2019! 

 

* World of Health Care is an initiative of the Task Force Health Care (TFHC) and is supported by Health~Holland partners with Erasmus MC, City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Partners and LSH010. The TFHC, the platform for the Dutch Life Sciences & Health sector, has years of experience in organizing influential and progressive conferences, with a strong focus on challenges in global healthcare, international trends and exports.