Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to take part in HIMSS & Health 2.0

Influencers in digital healthcare and health technology will meet in Helsinki 11-13 June for the international HIMSS & Health 2.0 Conference. The event will now be organised in Finland for the first time.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Päivi Sillanaukee will hold the keynote speech at the event’s official opening ceremony today.

“Finland has been a forerunner in digital healthcare for the last decade,” Sillanaukee states.  “Securing Finland as the location for the HIMSS & Health 2.0 event is an important sign that this ground-breaking work has been recognised. At the same time, conferences provide the sector’s actors a unique opportunity to network and promote international cooperation,” she continues.

At the lead of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, health and social sector authorities are participating in the event where they will highlight Kanta services, legislation that facilitates the secondary use of health and social data as well as the utilisation of artificial intelligence and robotics in health services.

Data the cornerstone of well-functioning services

Finland has exceptionally comprehensive and high-quality data resources in the health and social sector. Patient data is nearly 100 per cent in electronic format, which makes it possible to maintain up-to-date information and facilitates the use of modern tools for citizens and professionals.

The Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data facilitates the more effective utilisation of register data and creates better preconditions for research and innovation activities related to the health and welfare of citizens, the prevention of diseases and the development of new treatment methods. Findata, the new health and social sector data permit authority that will be established for the implementation of the Act, will ensure the ethically sustainable and secure use of health and social data.

The utilisation of data for the development of national health and social and health services is one of the main themes of the HIMSS & Health 2.0 Conference and legislation that facilitates the secondary use of health and social data will be broadly showcased at the event.

“Comprehensive register data is an essential foundation for the development of the service system,” Sillanaukee emphasises. “The more we know about national health and the way the public uses services, the better the decisions we make and services we provide will be in supporting people’s health and welfare.”

The opportunities provided by robotics and artificial intelligence will do their part to help secure high level services. At the HIMSS event, the Well-being and Health Sector’s Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Programme (Hyteairo) will present health technology applications that will help the ageing live independently and safely in their own homes.

Health and social sector data permit authority Findata, Kanta services and the Hyteairo Programme will be showcased at the Finland Pavilion (booth 6a40) in the HIMSS & Health 2.0 Conference’s exhibition area.