Digital Health Valley

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The Digital Health Valley initiative in Belgium was a government-funded venture aimed at creating conducive conditions for investments in the nation's burgeoning digital health industry that included a regulatory sandbox for app creators.
What are the main aims and objectives?
The primary aim of the Digital Health Valley initiative in Belgium was to create the best possible conditions for private-sector investments in the nation's digital health sector. This government-funded venture sought to encourage and facilitate the development and testing of health-related digital apps that adhere to strict privacy and security standards. Ultimately, the initiative aimed to position Belgium amongst the top three digitally performing countries in Europe by 2020. 
How does the program work?

Through the Digital Health Valley initiative, the Belgian government has allocated €3.25 million for piloting various digital health apps. Proposals were invited from anyone working the Belgian health sector who wants to use a mobile application (whether on a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch) in their role. Apps must meet certain minimum privacy and security requirements, but otherwise do not need regulatory approval. 

The allocated funds will be spent not only on funding the chosen projects, but also in reimbursing healthcare providers who are willing to share their data with app developers. In the first phase, 97 applications were submitted; approved projects commenced in 2017 for a duration of six months each. 

What is the overall cost?
The program received €3.25 million in funding from the Belgian government.
How was it implemented?

The initiative was overseen by Alexander De Croo, Minister responsible for the Digital Agenda and Telecommunications and was part of Belgium’s broader strategy to elevate the country’s digital profile. In 2015, the government launched ‘Digital Belgium’, a project aimed at putting Belgium amongst the top three digitally performing countries in Europe by 2020. As part of this push, the government envisaged 1,000 new Belgian-based start-ups and 50,000 new jobs. 

On 1 July 2016, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products published a call for applicants concerning its pilot project for mobile health apps. With a deadline for completion by the end of 2017.  

What impact has been measured?

On 5 December 2016, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products announced the selection of 24 projects for health apps from the 98 that were submitted. The selected projects related to different applications of mobile health such as self-management 

tele-monitoring and/or wearables within five therapeutic areas:  

  • Acute stroke care 

  • Treatment of diabetes 

  • Cardiovascular diseases 

  • Chronic pain 

  • Mental health 

Although it was indicated that an evaluation of the initiative would be published, no impact assessment is currently available.  

What lessons can be learned?

Although there is no information about the impact that the Digital Health Valley initiative had directly on healthcare provision, it is clear that the initiative paved the way for further integration within the Belgian healthcare system. 

Firstly, In February 2018, The Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Maggie De Block, unveiled a plan to establish a regulatory framework and specific funding for medical apps. Together with the Minister responsible for the Digital Agenda and Telecommunications, Ms. De Block also announced a plan to create an ecosystem for companies active in digital health care under the moniker “Digital Health Valley”. This initiative already served as a platform for the creation of HealthTech. Belgium, a collaborative effort of various players belonging to the healthcare sector. 

Secondly, In March 2018, Maggie De Block also announced a plan to integrate mobile medical applications into the Belgian healthcare system. This included a legal framework on the use of e-health apps to review whether a medical app should be integrated into the mainstream Belgian healthcare system.  

CURATED BY

Simona Bielli

Research Programme Coordinator – Digital Startups
Nesta
United Kingdom