MedTech sector launches national growth plan: technology must support Dutch healthcare and strengthen economic growth

Today, the Dutch MedTech sector is presenting an ambitious growth plan that aims to propel the Netherlands to the top of Europe by 2035. The plan, presented to State Secretaries Judith Tielen (Health, Welfare and Sport) and Tjerk Opmeer (Economic Affairs), shows how technology can structurally strengthen both healthcare and the economy. With its “MedTech Growth Plan – Accelerate the Netherlands to the top of the medical technology sector”, the sector has contributed to the Wennink report, which was presented last week with a view to creating a future-proof and innovative Netherlands.

If the preconditions of the MedTech Growth Plan are met, the sector can make a major social and economic impact over the next ten years by:

• ~11,000 new jobs in high-quality engineering, R&D and production1
• Approximately €5 billion in additional export value per year1
• ~75 new start-ups and scale-ups1
• And most importantly: a healthcare system that can meet future healthcare demand

Increase in the number and complexity of patients due to double ageing

The sector emphasises that healthcare cannot do without technological innovation if it is to continue to provide accessible and affordable care to patients. The increase in the number and complexity of patients due to double ageing (of both patients and healthcare providers) requires fast, accurate diagnosis and treatment, as well as the appropriate deployment of healthcare professionals.

MedTech offers solutions that both relieve the burden on healthcare professionals and improve patient health. Research shows that up to €22 billion in healthcare cost reductions are possible through the use of AI, digitisation and labour-saving technology. Technology is therefore a crucial link in a resilient, future-proof healthcare system and also serves as a strategic driver for the economy.

Strategic significance for the economy and healthcare system

The Dutch MedTech sector is internationally competitive and the industry is one of the drivers of innovation within the European economy, with approximately 15,700 patents annually. Every year, the sector creates high-quality employment, export value and technological breakthroughs that directly contribute to the quality of the healthcare system.

The sector has a strong foundation, but acceleration is necessary. The Netherlands has a good starting position with strong academic hospitals, leading universities, high-tech companies and a mature innovation chain. However, without improvements in data access, AI and interoperability infrastructure, clinical testing capacity and clarification of EU regulations, the Netherlands will miss out on strategic opportunities.

In addition, further development of the innovation ecosystem is needed, from talent development to venture financing and from harmonised data governance to increasing production capacity. These preconditions will determine whether the Netherlands can grow or lose ground to fast-growing MedTech hubs in Europe, the United States and Asia.

Read the MedTech Growth Plan here

Reactions from partners

"Investing in medical technology affects two strategic interests of the Netherlands at the same time: first, a future-proof healthcare system and, second, a resilient, innovative economy. By making the right choices, creating the right conditions and implementing stable policies, we can become one of the strongest MedTech ecosystems in Europe and the world. If we fail to do so, we will miss a unique opportunity to provide better healthcare for more people in the Netherlands and the rest of the world and to further develop our economy. The MedTech growth plan reflects the shared ambition of the MedTech sector and was developed with contributions from across the sector, from academic and top clinical hospitals to universities and knowledge institutions, government and the business community," says Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips and figurehead of the MedTech sector in the context of the Wennink report.

"Technological innovation is not a luxury, but a pure necessity. Only with smart, scalable solutions can we keep healthcare accessible, affordable and of high quality. As the director of a large university medical centre, I see every day how urgent it is to connect technology, data and medical expertise with clinical practice. This accelerates innovation where it counts: with the patient. But it's about more than just healthcare. If the Netherlands strengthens this ecosystem in the right way now, we will not only take a step towards better healthcare, we will also increase our strategic clout as a competitive MedTech country within Europe," says Stefan Sleijfer, chair and dean of the Executive Board of Erasmus MC.

According to Carina Hilders, chair of the Executive Board of UMC Utrecht, the patient is central to the use of medical technology: "Good care must remain accessible to patients in the future. This requires medical technology that supports healthcare professionals and makes care more precise and better, especially at a time when the demand for care is growing and the number of healthcare providers is not keeping pace. MedTech is therefore essential for the resilience of our healthcare system and society. That is why it is so important that these innovations are developed close to clinical practice. As an academic hospital, we work with public and private partners to bring new technology from the healthcare sector into concrete application for patients as quickly as possible."

In his report, Peter Wennink emphasises the essential preconditions for future prosperity. Innovation in healthcare is undoubtedly one of them – it is the only way to maintain our world-class healthcare system. The Netherlands has the brains and the makers: from smart technology to implementation power. Make the healthcare sector a launching customer, and come up with a joint innovation agenda, Ministries of Health and Sport and Economic Affairs. Don't see innovation in healthcare as a cost item, but as an investment that improves care, capitalises on knowledge and strengthens our economy,‘ says Marjoleine van der Zwan, managing director of TNO.

’Innovation often comes from start-ups and scale-ups. In the field of MedTech, the chain from idea to start-up to scale-up is not functioning adequately, which means that too little innovation is coming to market. Through more intensive collaboration between knowledge institutions, venture builders, entrepreneurs, companies, hospitals and investors, we can significantly improve the healthcare system and make the Netherlands an innovative leader in the field of Medical Technology," says John Bell, CEO of HighTech XL.

"The central idea of the plan is that Dutch healthcare needs to undergo a transformation in order to remain future-proof and that technology must provide important support in this, both for healthcare professionals and for patients. System thinking is crucial in order to make healthcare more people-oriented and efficient, and to scale up innovations more quickly and effectively towards market introduction and application in daily practice. Only in this way can we, as a society, reduce our healthcare costs, increase our labour participation and give more control to the patient," says Prof. Dr. Ir. Maaike Kleinsmann, Programme Chair Campus Rotterdam, and Medical Delta Professor in Design for Digital Transformation, TU Delft.

‘Strong medical technology means better care for people and a boost to the Dutch economy. This Investment Plan shows what preconditions are needed to scale up innovations. This can only be achieved if we involve the entire ecosystem, from SMEs and start-ups to healthcare institutions and the government, and now pick up the pace in its implementation,’ says Theo Henrar, chairman of FME.