Madeira to promote public display of digital health projects

The “Madeira Digital Health and Wellbeing”, an initiative that brings together digital projects in the areas of health and well-being, is promoting a set of public demonstrations on the use of technology in medicine. The event runs from May 24th until May 28, at Forum Madeira in Funchal, open to residents and tourists, who may attend demonstrations and activities of education, promotion and use of technology for digital health.

“The main objective is to showcase the various services and solutions that have been developed and installed for citizens, businesses, hospitals, health centers and other entities in the area” explained Ricardo Jardim Gonçalves, Professor and Research Coordinator at UNINOVA.

On Wednesday, May 26th, visitors will be able to watch or participate in digital health education activities, and on the 27th there will be a session dedicated to physical therapists and sports professionals. On the same day, there will be a presentation to the business community of funding and innovation opportunities at the European level.

“Overall, the initiative will work as a living platform and catalyst for digital transformation through knowledge sharing and allowing direct contact with technologies and experiences among the population, tourists and with the regional fabric, contributing to building a vibrant and interactive community of citizens, health professionals and technology providers” stressed Mr. Jardim Gonçalves. 

On Friday, May 28, a session dedicated to clinicians and health professionals is scheduled, with presentation and demonstration of projects in telemedicine (ICU4COVID), health data sharing (Smart4Health) and support for healthy aging (Smart Bear). ICU4COVID, for example, is already operating in Madeira. The system allows the remote monitoring of patients and is considered an “innovative solution” in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project involves 20 hospital units in several European countries and represents an overall investment of 10.4 million euros, funded 100% by the Horizon 2020 community program.

“These projects place the region not only at the forefront of innovation at the national and European level, but also as a real case of integration of digital health and wellness” clarified Maria Marques, Senior Researcher at UNINOVA.

Madeira was chosen for the implementation of the pilot project at a national level, with the connection of nine beds – four in intensive care and four in the emergency service, in the Hospital of Funchal, and one in the health center of Porto Santo – to a central monitoring unit.

The “Madeira Digital Health and Wellbeing” also includes projects in the area of digital devices to support the elderly and the digital health record, such as Smart4health, which aims to create a digital record of users interoperable at the European level, so that it can be accessed by any health service.