MEDTECH4ALL – Transnational Innovation Labs for Inclusive Health Technologies
active 1 month, 1 week agoAccess to equitable and high-quality healthcare remains a persistent challenge across the Adriatic-Ionian region, particularly in geographically disadvantaged and cross-border territories. Rural populations in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and peripheral areas of Greece and Italy often contend with structural barriers including geographic isolation, shortages of specialized healthcare professionals, and limited availability of diagnostic and therapeutic services (WHO Europe, 2021; European Commission, 2023). These disparities are exacerbated by a widening digital divide, which restricts the diffusion and adoption of health technologies among vulnerable groups—especially older adults, persons with disabilities, and economically marginalized communities.
While digital and medical technologies offer transformative potential to improve health outcomes, their deployment is frequently hindered by fragmented innovation ecosystems, underdeveloped collaborative frameworks, and limited co-creation with end users. The region lacks sufficient transnational mechanisms to foster inclusive health innovation that is both demand-driven and grounded in real-life needs.
MEDTECH4ALL seeks to address these gaps by establishing a network of transnational HealthTech Innovation Labs dedicated to developing, testing, and scaling inclusive digital medical solutions. The project promotes a participatory approach—integrating the expertise of universities, SMEs, healthcare providers, civil society actors, and end users—to ensure that the technologies created are context-sensitive, scalable, and sustainable.
Overall Objective:
To reduce health disparities and promote social inclusion in the Adriatic-Ionian region through transnational cooperation in the development and application of inclusive medical technologies.
Specific Objectives:
> Establish and operationalize a network of HealthTech Innovation Labs across participating countries.
> Co-design, pilot, and upscale inclusive digital health solutions targeting underserved and remote populations.
> Facilitate cross-sector collaboration among SMEs, research institutions, healthcare providers, and NGOs to strengthen regional health innovation ecosystems.
> Enhance digital health literacy and foster greater user confidence and engagement with smart health tools.
> Promote policy innovation and harmonization to support the mainstreaming of inclusive medical technologies across borders.
Potential Partners:
> Public Authorities (local and regional) involved in health, social inclusion, and/or innovation policy.
> Universities and Research Centers, specializing in medical technology, digital health, and social innovation.
> Healthcare Providers and Hospitals, contributing clinical expertise and real-life testing environments.
> SMEs and Startups, active in digital health, telemedicine, assistive devices, and AI-based diagnostics.
> Civil Society Organizations and User Groups representing patients, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.
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