The Future of Healthcare Seminar and Networking Event 28.5.2019

The embassy of Finland in Latvia and Team Finland hosted a seminar and networking event on healthcare and hospitals on May 28. The theme of the evening was the Future of Healthcare from Latvian and Finnish perspectives. In attendance were representatives from Latvian hospitals, officials, municipalities and opinion makers as well as Business Finland representatives and Finnish companies from the healthcare, infrastructure and digitalization sectors.

The embassy of Finland in Latvia and Team Finland hosted a seminar and networking event on healthcare and hospitals on May 28. The theme of the evening was the Future of Healthcare from Latvian and Finnish perspectives. In attendance were representatives from Latvian hospitals, officials, municipalities and opinion makers. From the Finnish side there were Business Finland representatives and representatives of Finnish companies in the healthcare, infrastructure and digitalization sector.

We heard keynote speeches from the Deputy State Secretary for Financial Issues of the Ministry of Health in Latvia, Āris Kasparāns, and Business Finland Program Director for Health and Wellbeing Eero Toivainen. Mr Kasparāns outlined the healthcare reform in Latvia, and the initiatives taken to renew the entire health sector. Mr Kasparāns’s presentation outlined the needs and challenges that the Latvian health sector is facing, but to which Finnish companies could provide some innovative solutions.

Mr. Toivainen from Business Finland held a short presentation on the health care sector in Finland and the companies and innovations on our market. Some innovations mentioned, both in the public and private sphere, were electronic patient records, video diagnoses and e-prescriptions. Mr Toivainen’s presentation really made it clear that Finland truly is a global leader in digital health.

After the keynote speeches, it was time for introductions and networking. The representatives of Latvian hospitals all gave short introductions on their hospital, their specialization areas, and the reform projects they have going on. In attendance were directors from many of the biggest hospitals in Riga: the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, North Kurzeme Regional Hospital, Pauls Stradiņš University Hospital, Riga Eastern University Hospital and Riga Maternity Hospital.

Then it was time to give the floor to the representatives of the companies present. We heard about the possibilities that Finnish companies like AW2, Idesco, Genano ISKU, Integrated Health Design, Merivaara, Oras and LAMI doors could provide to the hospitals and healthcare officials in Latvia. The solutios provided from specific expertise to wide range project management like antimicrobial material solutions in construction, operatingroom furniture or over all architectural and digital solutions.

We would like to thank all participating guests and companies for the illuminating speeches and interesting dialogues!