On the 30th of January, WIL Europe organised an EU Debate on Digital Health at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event, kindly sponsored by Fipra and Microsoft, was hosted by MEP Lieve Wierinck (ALDE Group) and featured a high-level panel of speakers, including Belgian Minister of Health Maggie de Block.

In light of the European Commission’s recent adoption of its “Communication on Digital Transformation of Health and Care in the Digital Single Market”, and Belgians innovative strides to build a “Digital Belgium” and “Digital Health Valley”, this event provided the opportunity for different perspectives centered around digital transformation within the health sector, to come together. Both possible opportunities and challenges around digital health, were shared and deliberated. Talks relating to the link between health policies and improved patient, and societal outcomes, were just one of the many fascinating discussions that took place.

The panel discussion, moderated by Laura Batchelor, Director of Health and Life Sciences Practice at FIPRA International, featured a high-level panel of speakers, representing various organizations:

• Dr Ann Aerts, Head of the Novartis Foundation
• Elena Bonfiglioli, Managing Director Health and Life Sciences, EMEA, Microsoft and WIL Board Member
• Marco Marsella, Head of the eHealth, Well-Being and Ageing Unit, European Commission
• Bart Vermeulen, Deputy Head of Office of Belgian Minister Maggie De Block