The NetHub Business Accelerator for Healthcare Technology Development and the University Hospital Centre (KBC) Split, with the support of Split-Dalmatia County, held the event “Modern Technological Solutions in Health and Social Care: Funding, Implementation, and Development Opportunities” on November 19, 2021, at KBC Split.
The primary goal of the event was to introduce experts and representatives of public health and social care institutions operating in Split-Dalmatia County to the possibilities for funding, implementing, and developing innovative technological solutions in healthcare and social care.
At the beginning of the event, the Director of KBC Split, Professor Julije Meštrović, MD, PhD, addressed the participants, offering a warm welcome. He noted that modern technological solutions are not foreign to Croatian healthcare, but there is a pressing need for their accelerated implementation and elevation to a much higher level. Expressing his honor that the event was held at KBC Split, he emphasized the institution’s openness to further collaboration and networking with other stakeholders in the health and social care sectors. Blaženko Boban, Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, joined him in supporting the work of KBC Split and expressed gratitude to all health and social care workers whose roles are of vital importance, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of the City of Split, Tihana Maglica, Head of the Section for Social Care and Health Protection, welcomed the attendees and highlighted that the City encourages and supports such innovative initiatives.
Following the introductory remarks, NetHub representative Marko Mimica explained the concept of HealthTech and emphasized the special importance of introducing modern technological solutions, particularly digitalization, into the health and social care systems, as well as the available funding sources for such endeavors. This was followed by an interactive presentation titled “Technological Progress and Health Care System Management,” delivered by Professor Aleksandar Džakula, PhD, from the School of Medicine in Zagreb and the “Dr. Andrija Štampar” School of Public Health, and Professor Karmen Lončarek, PhD, Head of the Department for Integrated and Palliative Care at KBC Rijeka. The presentation highlighted major issues in Croatian health and social care and the importance of integrating the entire system. During the session, participants engaged in a constructive discussion with the speakers, leading to concrete conclusions.
The event was closed by NetHub representative Maja Čurković, who thanked all participants for their active contribution to the advancement of the Croatian health and social care systems and for fostering the implementation of modern technological solutions and innovations.